Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, is expected to meet with his Surinamese counterpart this week to discuss putting systems in place for a continuation of the Guyana/Suriname ferry service.

Since the M.V. Canawaima began experiencing challenges, leading to its suspension on May 25, 2019, the Public Infrastructure Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been in discussion with the Government of Suriname on devising a way forward.

On Monday afternoon, Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, met with Surinamese Ambassador to Guyana, Ebu Jones to continue discussions on the same. In a media release, the Ministry of the Presidency stated that the issues have engaged the attention of both Heads of State and it is now time for the discussions to ensue to arrive at an amicable solution.

In the meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has done its part by deploying the M.V Sandaka to transport persons from May 31 to June 2 who have been stranded.
However, the operation ceased yesterday, June 3, 2019. “We have done what we need to do in so far as our obligations under the arrangement is concerned and so it is really now a matter of getting the two sides together to sit down and recognise that this is a service which the people are depending on,” Harmon stressed in a recent media briefing.

He had added that, if it comes down to that, the Guyana government may have to put a vessel in place in the interest of the public.