Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud says that several steps have been taken by the government to reduce piracy off Guyana’s shores and he urges persons in the fishing industry to take full advantage of the systems that have been put in place.
During a press conference at the Ministry of Agriculture on Friday, Persaud said that over the last 14 months government has undertaken a number of initiatives in the fight against piracy. He said government had set up a revolving fund to assist persons who were confirmed victims of piracy, and pointed out that this system was put in place specifically to target persons in the fishing community. The minister said that $5 million had been put aside by the government towards this fund and the members of the fishing community were required to pay subscriptions to the fund. However, according to Persaud, the response has been poor, and only seven fisherfolk have subscribed. He pointed out that the proposal was not outrageous since it only required such persons to pay about $5000-$6000 annually.
Persaud also disclosed that much work has been done in establishing an effective communication network. He said the authorities had worked closely with the Coast Guard and put in place a state-of-the art communication network which covers 80 per cent of the fishing co-op societies and which has the capacity to be extended. Through this $15 million investment, the Coast Guard, Fishing Society and Police are all inter-linked with a single communication network. He said this could be effectively used to assist members of the fishing community if each would buy a handset and have it connected to the system. The minister explained that with this system if any difficulty is experienced during any marine expedition contact could easily be made with the authorities.
He said that the Ministry of Agriculture had provided two new boats and outboard engines to the Berbice and Essequibo fishing communities. These, he explained, could be used by the police or any other law enforcement for emergency responses to situations.
Persaud also disclosed that through the Ministry of Home Affairs systems have been put in place to facilitate the Fishing Co-operative Society having access firearm licences.
Meanwhile, the minister said that there have been less than 12 confirmed cases of piracy for the year — a decrease in the reported or confirmed cases of piracy the country has seen in recent times.