Concerns grow over lawless Corriverton “backtrack” route

Some passengers who opt to use the Guyana-Suriname “backtrack” crossing at Berbice are growing increasingly concerned about the modus operandi there, stating that they may be forced to use the longer route.

One passenger who claims to be a frequent user of the crossing explained that people are “being allowed to cross with anything”, and usually there are no officials present at the port. “You never know what these people got tucked away in their bags, and they are being allowed to cross just like that,” he said. However, he noted that river traffic is monitored at the Suriname end, and some checks do occur, but they are not sufficiently detailed. 

“I do my little business. I take things across there. But there are many times when I think of how these people taking things for granted. Suppose somebody was dishonest?” he questioned. He explained that due to the growing “recklessness” at the crossing, he may have to travel using the legal but longer route. He added that he does not want to be present if and when the situation gets out of hand. 

Meanwhile, another passenger, who was a first-time traveller, seemed appalled that she wasn’t required to use her identification documents to travel. She explained that she had forgotten her passport, and was nervous that she would not be allowed to cross since she did not have any other photo identification in her possession. However, she explained that one of the operators reassured her that it was not mandatory. “It makes me feel uneasy. It makes me wonder how legal are these operations. I don’t know what I will meet over there. How I am to be sure that it will be fine when I get over to Suriname?” she asked. 

When a Guyana Times International reporter, under the guise of being a passenger, approached a boat operator and expressed an interest in travelling, the reporter was told that, despite the several signs present indicating that photo identification was needed, there was no need to produce any. “This is “backtrack”, it’s all right. When you get over there, just get in a car and drive to where you going, nobody does check,” the operator explained. 

Speaking with an official from the Region Six Regional Democratic Council, however, this publication was told that much is being done at the port to ensure that activities are controlled in the absence of an institutionalised operation. “The crossing is still open, and the reason for this is that it has been flourishing. We haven’t put any restrictions because, usually, we have customs officers there verifying the goods that are brought and carried between the countries,” he said. 

When asked whether persons not using identification may cause the operations there to become unsafe, the official responded in the negative. He assured that several checks are made on goods to verify that what the passengers bring into the country is legal. 

However, while Guyana Times International was at the port, no officials were visible. During the course of the three-hour visit, passengers were seen coming and going without being checked. The Regional Democratic Council official noted that this was very strange, since the officers – who are said to be in plainclothes — are supposed to be there. However, he reiterated that the backtrack crossing is “not a big threat,” since the Surinamese have been putting several measures in place at their end to ensure that passengers comply with certain rules and regulations. 

With regards to smuggling, however, the official stated that this can never be fully stopped. “It isn’t only one route that people would come in with goods; there is no regular area where you can properly predict, but we do try to keep on top of things by monitoring the ports,” he said.

In March of this year, Guyana had declined Suriname’s offer to institutionalise the Guyana- Suriname backtrack crossing, stating that the Guyanese government has several concerns which were still being discussed. As a result, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee had stated that the “status quo will remain in place”. He stated, though, that both countries would remain in discussion about the matter. 

But former Surinamese Justice Minister Chandrikapersad Santokhi called for control mechanisms such as immigration and customs to be implemented at the backtrack ports. He explained that Suriname was working to have that done at its port, and encouraged Guyana to continue discussions to do the same.