There are no alternative routes for boats at Piremap falls contrary to Marad’s claim

Dear Editor, I read with great humour the report quoting the Maritime Administration (Marad) as saying that there are alternate routes for boats traversing the Piremap falls.

Amazing! I acknowledge that there are; one way is to unload all the cargo and lug it from below the falls to the top and then haul your boat manually over the iron rails that are installed for that purpose to the top of falls, reload your boat and be on your way, adding eight hours to your travel time. Otherwise you wait for the rains and highwater. I would love to see the experts at Marad take a boat and do a trip, do a video and let the Guyanese public see these alternate routes.

The report goes on to say that Crown Mining Supplies has “assiduously commenced efforts” to remove this obstruction. The fact is that Crown Mining Supplies have a camp some distance downstream and their workers are enjoying TV shows and relaxing.

I reiterate that for the month of September absolutely nothing has been done to improve the situation; neither the Crown Mining company nor the relevant authorities have been fully truthful or forthcoming on this issue.

This situation cannot continue much longer as a lot of miners, boaters, fuel suppliers, farmers, fishermen, and schoolchildren are greatly affected.

I am willing to pay for a boat to take your reporters to the location to get a firsthand look at what the facts really are; just email me. Let us make it a trip, and we can also take the experts from Marad to show us their routes.

Yours faithfully, Ralph Persaud