KINGSTON - Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, today indicated that efforts would be made to strengthen the local maritime agency.
The Minister made this announcement at the opening ceremony of the World Maritime Day Exhibition, hosted by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), under the theme “Maritime Education and Training”
The exhibition is in the compound of the Transport and Harbour Department, Kingston.
According to Hon. Patterson, while Guyana’s marine section of the transportation sector is slightly behind, government plans to direct more investments in the physical transportation sector of the industry, over the short and medium terms.
While investments will be made to acquire modern vessels to boost the transportation sector, the Infrastructure Minister believes that training for those in the industry is also important.
“I’d like to task MARAD and everyone else to look at training to help develop a large cadre of maritime professionals. I have spoken to my counterpart minister in Jamaica, they have a well-established maritime school, with the hope that maybe from next year we can establish a full scholarship for eligible students from Guyana where they will only be required to pay board and lodging,” Minister Patterson disclosed.
Patterson added that, with the advent of Petroleum exploration, investments will be made to enhance the necessary maritime standards so that MARAD can be better equipped to police the waterways, ensure the safety of those who travel and execute search and rescue missions, should there be a disaster on any of the oil exploration platforms.
Minister Patterson further said that MARAD will soon address the issue of sunken and derelict vessels in the country’s waterways as they pose serious problems to the safety of boats plying the varying channels. As such, a comprehensive plan to execute this objective will be developed.
“I know there are some areas that need strengthening, in that regard there is now a lawyer on board at MARAD who is tasked with reviewing the maritime laws to bring Guyana upto the international standard,” Patterson said.
Claudette Rogers, Director-General of MARAD, indicated that this year’s theme is most appropriate as maritime education and training continues to be a primary concern for policymakers and operators, given the fact that the advancement and expansion of the sector is heavily dependent on the skills of practitioners in the shipbuilding companies, port operations and onboard ships.
She added that since MARAD’s establishment it has sought to create synergies with other administrations and in the Caribbean Region and the United States Coast Guard to create and promote training exercises.
Today’s event also saw a number of boat captains and bowmen being honoured for their outstanding efforts towards safety, in providing transportation on the waterways.
The United Nations implemented World Maritime Day to celebrate the industry’s contribution to the world economy especially in shipping. The annual event focuses on the maritime environment, safety and security for boats and ships.
