Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed has accused the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government of attempting to disrupt his charitable outreach after a private vessel used by him and WIN MPs to reach remote communities was detained and seized following a police and Coast Guard operation at Friendship, East Bank Demerara.
In a statement issued yesterday Mohamed said the vessel was not simply used for his personal transportation but was regularly used to carry assistance to communities that are difficult to access, including areas in Region One.
“The boat that has now been detained and seized is not merely a vessel used by the Leader of the Opposition for personal travel,” Mohamed said. He described it as a means of reaching “some of the most remote and far-flung communities across our country,” which he said are often neglected.
The vessel was also involved in search efforts following the sinking of the MV Barima and had earlier been loaded with clothing and other supplies for people affected by the tragedy.
He said the boat was used to distribute assistance to residents in the Port Kaituma and Mabaruma sub-districts in Region One, where he and WIN Members of Parliament were carrying out an outreach.
Mohamed also sought to explain the presence of the vessel on the water during the MV Barima search, saying that although it may have later been seen without supplies aboard, it had earlier that same day been packed with clothing and other items for distribution. “The Leader of the Opposition and WIN MPs were in Region One, taking assistance directly to the people who needed it,” he said.
He and several MPs were involved in a late-night operation at a wharf at Friendship on Tuesday night, during which police, Guyana Defence Force personnel and Coast Guard ranks arrived and sought to search a privately owned vessel.
According to an earlier statement from Mohamed, he was aboard the vessel with MPs Odessa Primus and Natasha Lewis when the servicemen arrived at about 10:15 p.m. MPs Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Dawn Hastings-Williams and Deon LaCruz were reportedly on the wharf.
Mohamed said officers requested permission to search the vessel and, when asked about the authority for the search, an officer reportedly cited “reasonable suspicion” of illegal activity.
The vessel was subsequently disconnected from the dock and towed to the Marine Wing of the Ruimveldt Police Station, where it was searched.
Mohamed said nothing illegal was found aboard the vessel. Despite this, he said police informed him that the vessel was being detained because relevant documentation had not been produced.
He requested documentation confirming the detention but was instead asked to sign a statement prepared by police, which he declined to do. He said he was then informed that he was under arrest pursuant to the “Maritime Act”.
Mohamed said he questioned the officer about the specific provision of the legislation being relied upon, but alleged that the officer did not identify one and instead repeated that the arrest was being made under the “Maritime Act”.
Mohamed has maintained that the detention of the vessel would not stop his outreach activities. “At a time when this country should be focused on supporting communities, helping those affected by tragedy, and ensuring that assistance reaches people in the most remote parts of Guyana, the government has chosen to detain a boat that has been repeatedly used to serve the people,” he said. “However, no amount of harassment or intimidation will stop us from serving the people of Guyana.”
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