The Government continues to deny knowledge of a Guyana registered vessel, the EOLIKA, which was detained by Senegalese authorities after three containers of ammunition valued at USD 5.2 million were discovered on board in the Port of Dakar earlier in the week.
This has caused Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs Amanza Walton-Desir to accuse the Government of “disrespect” and lying to the people of Guyana.
The Government last night issued a statement accusing IMSAG of issuing registration documents, but notes that it had severed all ties with the organization since August 2021. Walton-Desir pointed to the Guyana Shipping (Registration of Ships) Regulations which sets out the framework for the registration of ships in Guyana. Regulation 17, according to the MP addresses the scenario where a ship becomes entitled to be registered and it is not in its home country.
That regulation provides that if a Guyanese ship is at sea or a foreign port when it becomes entitled or due to be registered, a proper officer (that is, an officer authorized to perform the registration function) may issue a provisional certificate. Regulation 17 goes on to provide that the provisional Certificate of Registration gives the ship registered status until it arrives at a Guyana Port or after the expiration of 6 months, whichever first happens.
The MP stressed that, “The nationality of vessels provides an important basis for maintaining order on the high seas.” She is therefore astonished that the Government would think that by issuing a release which suggests that the expiration of EOLIKA’s registration one month ago, somehow absolves the Administration and renders the vessel of no concern to Guyana.
On February 12, 2021, the Director General of MARAD, signed a letter of authorization delegating MARAD’s authority to IMSAG. According to the authorization document a minimum notice period of twelve (12) months was required before either party could withdraw or terminate the agreement. The PPP regime is, however, insisting that the vessel’s registration expired on 10th December 2021 and MARAD is saying that it severed ties with IMSAG since August 13, 2021.
This would be in breach of the terms of the agreement which stipulates a 12 months notice which would only become effective from August 12, 2022. The Member of Parliament is therefore calling on the PPP/C Administration come clean and make public:- The correspondence terminating the agreement with IMSAG and notification of the relevant international agencies of same and the registration information of all vessels flying the Guyana flag under this so-called Guyana International Ship Registry being administered by IMSAG.
Guyanese must be assured that there is not currently in existence an international network of vessels flying under the Guyana flag involved in all manner and sorts of nefarious activities of the kind uncovered by the Senegalese authorities. “The implications are dire”, she warns.
(Note: All documentation attached is available online.)
