Arson threats led to closure of wharves
by Wendella Davidson
THREATS of arson made against wharf owners and their businesses during the recent GPSU pay strike had resulted in a decision to close the wharves. And, even a meeting with the Ministers of Home Affairs and Trade, Tourism and Industry could not bring about a change in this decision. Also at the meeting, wharf owners and representatives from other shipping companies unanimously agreed that it would not have been possible to provide adequate security for employees such as truck drivers and porters. Mr Chris Fernandes, Managing Director of John Fernandes Limited, which operates a wharf at 24 Water Street, testified about this before the Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday. The Commission, headed by Justice Carl Singh, is investigating violent incidents which occurred during the recent Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) pay strike which lasted 55 days. According to Fernandes, the strike action severely hurt business, so too did the large crowds which, from June 18, kept a 24-hour vigil at the wharf, preventing vehicles from both entering and leaving the compound. The company estimated its losses in the vicinity of about $15M. Mr. Fernandes testified that when the strike was initially called, only about half of the Customs Officers, on whose services the wharf depends daily basis for the examining and delivery of goods to consignees, withdrew their services. The top JFL Executive recalled having met the GPSU Executive on May 21, and pleaded for the presence of Customs officers to allow the off-loading of vessels due that weekend. But the GPSU officials said they could not guarantee the safety of the operations. In reply to a query by Justice Singh, Mr. Fernandes said vessels transporting pharmaceuticals to the country had to be diverted to other ports where they were discharged. Also testifying about a 24-hour surveillance by strikers and a decision taken to suspend business, was Mr Malcolm Bascom, Managing Director of Guyana National Shipping Company (GNSC). According to Bascom, from May 30 last until the end of the protest, strikers took up their positions in front of the main entrances of the wharf. He said the crowd, which was extremely hostile, even threatened staff and persons going there to conduct business. He spoke of a section of Guyana National Printers Limited (GNPL) building, which was apparently mistaken for one belonging to GNSC, being set on fire on May 31. He said the decision to suspend business was taken in the interest of protecting the lives of the company's staff and its customers. Meanwhile, Romel Raghuraj, Operations Manager of Muneshwer's Wharf, spoke of his company having to turn away 45 vessels due in Port Georgetown. He noted that while no damage was done to the wharf, the withdrawal of services by Customs Officers, and the mounting of a 24-hour vigil outside the premises thus preventing vehicles from entering and leaving, made it impossible for operations to be conducted. In addition, employees were subjected to threats and had become very fearful.
|