The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has pushed back against Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed’s claims over delays in renewing his captain’s license, declaring that political status, wealth, or popularity does not entitle anyone to a maritime license.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, MARAD accused Mohamed of attempting to turn what it described as “an ordinary question of regulatory compliance into a political controversy” and insisted that it would not be politically influenced or intimidated into granting a license.
The statement came after Mohamed and opposition Member of Parliament Odessa Primus visited MARAD and publicly complained that his application for renewal of his captain’s license had been outstanding for about two weeks.
Mohamed said he submitted his application on August 28, along with what he described as all the required documents, including an affidavit for his lost captain’s license, TIN certificate, medical documents covering vision and hearing, a recommendation from another captain, identification and passport-sized photographs.
He claimed other captains who submitted applications on the same day and even after him had already received their licenses.
“The process would normally take about three to four days,” Mohamed said, while accusing the government of treating him unfairly.
Mohamed also said he and Primus attempted to meet MARAD Director General Stephen Thomas but were unsuccessful.
According to Mohamed, they were informed through someone he believed to be Thomas’ secretary that there was no update on the application and that the Director General was unable to meet with them at the time.
Primus also criticised the delay, arguing that Mohamed, as a Guyanese citizen and Opposition Leader, should be able to obtain the necessary documentation to continue his work.
She suggested the continued delay could later be used against him if authorities claimed he did not possess the required licensing to operate on the waterways.
Mohamed said he was attempting to remain compliant with the law and maintained that MARAD had a duty to process his application after he submitted the relevant documentation.
MARAD, however, rejected the suggestion that filing an application automatically creates a right to a license.
“A maritime license is not a political favour. It is not a gift. And, most importantly, it is not an entitlement,” the agency said.
According to MARAD, an applicant must first satisfy all statutory, safety, competency and regulatory requirements before being authorised to operate.
The maritime regulator further stated that, according to its official records, neither the fast craft reportedly owned by Mohamed nor Mohamed himself was licensed or otherwise authorised to operate.
MARAD said operating a vessel without the required license or authorisation is a maritime safety issue, not simply a paperwork matter.
The agency also referred to the recent Joint Services incident involving a fast boat linked to Mohamed, saying reports indicated that the vessel was encountered at night travelling at high speed, was signalled to stop and allegedly failed to comply, resulting in a pursuit before it was intercepted.
MARAD stressed that those allegations are matters for the competent authorities to investigate and determine.
The agency also cited Mohamed’s designation by the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control under the Global Magnitsky sanctions programme and his ongoing extradition proceedings.
MARAD said any responsible public authority dealing with a sanctioned person must consider possible legal, financial, banking, contractual and compliance consequences before entering into a transaction.
The agency maintained, however, that the wider issue extends beyond Mohamed and his vessel.
“Political office does not confer a captain’s licence. Wealth does not confer a vessel licence. Popularity does not confer a vessel licence,” MARAD said.
It added that maritime safety standards cannot be stricter for ordinary Guyanese and relaxed for politically powerful individuals.
“The same law must apply to everyone,” the agency said. “That is not political persecution. That is regulation. That is accountability. And above all, that is the rule of law.”
MARAD said it will continue carrying out its regulatory responsibilities “without fear, favour, or political intimidation,” adding that maritime safety remains non-negotiable and that no individual is automatically entitled to a license.
