The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is soon expected to acquire a £39 million offshore patrol vessel following the signing of a Letter of Intent between the defence force and the French company OCEA SA yesterday.
According to a press release from Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service Dr Ashni Singh, OCEA SA specialises in the design, building and sales of aluminium fast patrol boats and offshore patrol vessels, designed for coastal and offshore surveillance and search and rescue operations and associated integrated logistic support services.
The purpose of yesterday’s signing, the release said, was to define the scope, price and payment schedule agreed among the parties, to conclude a contract schedule for the procurement of the model 190 of the offshore patrol vessel.
It was stated that the price of the vessel includes its equipment and the integrated logistics support services inclusive of training for a five-year period.
Yesterday’s signing at the Ministry of Finance was done by GDF Coast Guard Commander Vernon Burnett and Director of the Americas for OCEA SA Yorgo Hernandez.
It was overseen by Singh and witnessed by Ambassador of France to Suriname and Guyana Nicolas de Bouillane de Lacoste, GDF Chief of Staff Brigadier Omar Khan and other officials of the Ministry of Finance and the GDF.
Singh, according to the release, re-emphasised that the government’s decision-making is being guided by the vision of President Irfaan Ali who from the first days of his presidency said that the administration will do all within its power to ensure that the armed forces are adequately equipped to discharge their extremely important functions, including that of safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity.
“The instructions that he has issued in pursuit of that vision have seen a previously unprecedented ramping up and equipping of the GDF, not only as is manifested by this acquisition but several other acquisitions and investments that were made in all of the GDF’s capabilities,” Singh was quoted as saying. He recalled the most recent agreement which saw the acquisition of two aircraft for the GDF.
According to the finance minister, the deepening and strengthening of Guyana’s relationship with France, was evidenced most recently by the visit by France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Stéphane Séjourné, and the announcement by France of the intention to open an embassy in Guyana in 2025, the release said.
Delivering his remarks, Ambassador de Bouillane expressed his satisfaction at the development between the two countries in terms of the signing. He reminded that the Guyana and French governments have been in strategic dialogue to move apace with the setting up of a French Embassy here, which will be one of two new embassies through which France will be extending its presence and cooperation with other countries in the world. He noted that France is hopeful that the signing today is just one of many of the agreements that will follow, the release said.
“United, we are stronger on the different challenges,” he was quoted as saying.
Chief of Staff Khan said the decision to equip the country’s defence force has always been a national endeavour, the release stated.
“It is pertinent, and it is necessary, and it is in our best interest as a sovereign nation to do so. While our collective actions during this journey have converged in this ceremony today, I single out and recognise the commitment of the Government of Guyana and the vision of our Commander-in-Chief to ensure that the GDF is equipped with the relevant assets for air, land and sea to protect our territory, and to also create an environment conducive to national development,” Brigadier Khan was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, on behalf of OECA SA, Hernandez expressed gratitude to the Government of Guyana and the GDF for their decision in relation to the acquisition of the vessel, noting that it demonstrated their commitment to maritime security and safeguarding the nation’s interest, the release said. He added that the vessel will assist in combating illegal fishing and trafficking activities and in protecting Guyana’s sovereignty. He also expressed the company’s future interest in assisting with a maintenance shipyard in Guyana, the release said.
“Such an investment would not only benefit your nation but also contribute to regional maritime development,” Hernandez was quoted as saying.
He also expressed appreciation to President Ali for his visionary leadership in the development and protection of Guyana and his steadfast commitment to the nation’s prosperity, the release said.
