Ramjattan says stakeholders must be consulted on issuance of trawler licences

Khemraj Ramjattan

While maintaining his criticism of the issuance of two controversial trawler licences, APNU+AFC Member of Parliament Khemraj Ramjattan on Wednesday said stakeholders must always be consulted before the issuance of licences in their respective industries.

At an AFC press conference, Ramjattan reiterated that the two licences issued to Rampersaud Sookhdeo for seabob fishing did not have any input from key stakeholders of the Guyana Association of Trawler Operators and Seafood Processors (GATOSP). He also suggested that the fact no consultation was held prior to the issuance of the licences is against the law as the constitution states that all stakeholders must be consulted on sensitive issues.

Added to that, he claim-ed that there was no support from the Ministry’s Fisheries Department, while also highlighting Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha’s initial refusal to answer questions regarding the licences in the National Assembly.