Despite National Security Minister Edmund Dillon telling the Parliament on Tuesday that Cedros fishermen Awardnath Hajarie, his son Nicholas and colleague Shami Seepersad were expected to return home yesterday, the community was again left with disappointment after they failed to show up.
Heartbroken at the reality of spending another lonely night, Hajarie’s wife, Heermatie Sanker, sought the help of a doctor in the hope of easing her pain.
Some residents had gathered near the Cedros port as the 11.30 am Venezuelan ferry dropped off passengers yesterday, but the fishermen were not on the vessel.
Sanker, who collapsed from stress while also waiting on the beach for their arrival last Sunday, was nowhere nearby.
Today marks two weeks since Awardnath, 52, Nicholas, 26 and Seepersad, 35, who were aboard the 24-ft pirogue Shakete, were abducted by Guardia Nacional in the local waters off the Soldado Main Field. La Guardia Nacional claimed the fishermen were illegally fishing in Venezuelan waters.
Speaking at the beach yesterday, Cedros councillor Shankar Teelucksingh said the fishermen are still having problems sourcing fuel for the return trip home aboard another vessel. He said the pirogue the men were in when they were abducted was still impounded and they remain in Tucupita without money to purchase ferry tickets. The T&T Guardian was told a round trip to Tucupita on the ferry, with an enclosed cabin, costs US$120. Three other vessels not outfitted with the cabin charge $1,700.
Teelucksingh said if the men do not return today, Cedros fishermen will attempt to pool funds in order to pay their colleagues’ sea fare.
He said the community will be happy when the fishermen return to ask Dillon about the investigation into the Guardia Nacional’s breach of international sea laws by entering local waters without permission and illegally detaining T&T citizens.
Suklal Mannah, the owner of impounded pirogue, is also suffering. He said he purchased the 24-foot pirogue 15 years ago for $14,000. With a pension of $3,500, he said the money he receives from the fishing pirogue is what has been sustaining his family. However, he has been forced to dip into his pension to pay some US $1,200 for the pirogue’s release. He said he paid some of the money in local currency, but was yet to get back his pirogue.