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Guyana only act when disaster strikes
Dear Editor,
Guyana is a society that sometimes like to wait for something to happen and then act or do something about it. I would like to highlight the poor safety conditions that befall travelers utilising the ‘semi- legal’ Guyana-Suriname ‘backtrack’ crossing at Corriverton, Corentyne.
First of all, life jackets are not used on most of the trips. When I asked for a life- jacket I was told to open a big bag in front of the both, and when I did, the few in there were soggy and soaked as well as smelly. Many travelers refuse to use these jackets, and just imagine, there are also babies traveling on the 20- minute journey sometimes. It is a dangerous practice and should cease immediately.
I think the authorities should have some more regulation over this service which is utilised by dozens of Guyanese and Surinamese on a daily basis. On the Nickerie side, there is no jetty to walk out to the boat, instead women and girls are lifted or jockeyed on the backs of men, and not all females might be comfortable with that practice. For years, this has been the norm.
The boats are also opened with no shelter from rain or the rough waters of the Corentyne whilst traveling. They should have boats like those plying the Parika- Supenaam route on the Essequibo and in other places. I urge the government of both sides to get involved and deal with the operators, first and foremost, enforce the life- jacket regulation immediately.
Eyewitness (name supplied)
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