Govt. invests in vessels to protect maritime resources

Mar 30, 2017 News

“Our territorial waters are extensive. It is easy for vessels to unlawfully discharge and transship contraband goods”- President

The reputation of the shipping industry in Guyana has been threatened by the abuse of the country’s water for the transshipment of narcotics, piracy, fuel smuggling and the smuggling of contrabands which results in a loss of revenue.

These illegal activities ruin the country’s reputation of a safe destination for foreign investors, according to President David Granger during the commissioning of two boats which were handed over to coast guards at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Ruimveldt, Georgetown base yesterday.

Kaieteur News was informed that the two 38-feet vessels were named GDFS 1033 and GDFS 1034. They are essential for national security and are intended to improve the capability of the state to protect its resources, President David Granger said.

The president said that Guyana, being an export-oriented country has to ensure that its ceilings are secured to attract investors since international trades, just like petroleum exploration, is the driver of economic development.

“Our territorial waters are extensive. It is easy for vessels to unlawfully discharge and transship contraband goods. It therefore means that the coast guards must be equipped to confront and eliminate illegal activities in our water,” Granger pointed out.

To protect Guyana’s maritime resources, the coast guard must be strengthened so that they can provide greater security to investors in petroleum and fishing, and as such, the two boats were handed over to the GDF’s coast guards.

The president told the gathering that petroleum exploration is now going apace in Guyana offshore water and a number of foreign companies are engaged in that sector. As such the coast guards must therefore have the capability to handle emergency within the waters.

“The coast guards therefore need to stronger enlarge the fleet of vessels, we need surveillance equipment, larger and faster vessels,” the president said. The government will do everything that is possible within the limit of its resources to ensure assets are provided, the President added..

“It represents an investment in safety and security to provide assurance to our citizens, fishermen and investors,” Granger said while urging coast guards to, “take good care of the vessels to ensure that they are used for the security of our nation.”

The president gave a brief history of the GDF which was established in 1965 following the recognition of the need for internal vigilance as the country was approaching independence.

Chief of Staff, Patrick West said that it was the success of the three vessels which were delivered in 2014 that led the government to invest in GDFS 1033 and 1034. He noted that the length, breath and carrying capability make the boats ideal platform for which the force can use it.

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