VP assures that Gov’t doing all within its power to ensure licensing of Guyanese fishermen in Suriname waters

The government has reiterated its committment to ensuring Guyanese fisherfolk plying their
trade in Suriname’s waters, receive their official licences soonest to bar the “harassment” they
are currently facing.
Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Vice President on Sunday met with a number of fisherfolk at the Classic
Hotel Banquet Hall, Skeldon, where he discussed the issue at length and ascertain ways in which
government could support in the interim. Jagdeo was accompanied by Finance Minister Dr.
Ashni Singh, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, Education Minister, Priya Manickchand,
and Foreign Affair and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd.
The VP stressed that the matter remains a priority of the administration, which is doing all within
its power to have the problem addressed. Jagdeo noted that the only move the administration can
commit to presently, is advancing the pressure on the neighbouring country, at the highest level.
Minister Mustapha pointed out that the topic was discussed during the former PPP/C
government’s reign. He said that the Suriname authority has committed to fixing the matter but
to no avail. “They keep making commitment but are not delivering on those commitments,” the
minister told fisherfolk.

The agriculture minister has been in regular contact with Suriname’s agriculture minister. He
said government is fully aware of the fatigue Guyanese fisherfolk are forced to endure.
Meanwhile, Minister Todd reiterated that it is the government’s responsibility to keep the
dialogue going. “Government will keep you in the loop,” he assured, noting that the delay “is not
lack of effort on government’s end,” Todd stressed.