THE resumption of operations of the Guyana/Suriname ferry service continues to be in limbo, with a meeting that was scheduled for Thursday, to determine possibly, the way forward, postponed.
In the meantime, the management of the M.V. Canawaima continues to lose much-needed revenue amounting in excess of $20M monthly, from such a vital service that was provided between the two countries, especially during this ‘peak period’, a source disclosed.
Yesterday, July 11, 2019 marked one month and 13 days since the MV Canawaima, the ferry vessel that plies from Moleson Creek on the Guyana side to South Drain in Suriname, was pulled from service, after experiencing mechanical difficulties for some time. The vessel provides a vital service for persons, including businessmen and women who ply their trade between the two countries, tourists and others.
As the mechanical problems of the M.V. Canawaima continued to challenge the authorities, resulting in delays on several occasions, a tug boat was sought to tow the vessel during its run, but it had reached a stage where the ferry had to be pulled out of service.
For three days, the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) M.V Sandaka, assisted in transporting passengers and their goods, as per an initial arrangement between managements of the M.V. Canawaima and T&HD. It has since then remained idle even as costs are being incurred.
According to the source, the M.V. Sandaka had some minor repairs done and is ready to set sail but is awaiting the green light.
Meanwhile, the non-operation of the Guyana/Suriname ferry service is of great inconvenience to businessmen and women, who are now forced to utilise the ‘backtrack’ service, which is quite unsafe.
This publication has also learnt that with schools being closed, a pre-planned tour by some students from President’s College to Martinique appears to be in jeopardy. The school children are due to travel to Suriname on the July 16, to have their bio-metric done and obtain the required visa to travel to Martinique.
In January 2018, the ferry service was suspended for nine days when the vessel developed mechanical problems. Meanwhile, with the Guyana/Suriname ferry service out of operation, persons travelling to and from the neighbouring country via the backtrack route, are being urged to present themselves to immigration officers for processing, as failure to do so can result in prosecution.
Processing of the documents can be done at immigration offices that are located at Republic Square, Springlands or at Port Moleson Creek.
The ferry service between Guyana and Suriname was officially launched on November 6, 1998. It is a joint venture and the financial and other arrangements for defraying operational expenses are outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Government of the Republic of Suriname on the Formation and Operation of the Joint Ferry Service between the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Republic of Surname (1998).
According to the agreement, the maintenance of the ferry is to be shared equally. This has not occurred. In a bid to reduce the hardships to passengers and businesses using the service and in order to give the neighbouring state time to meet its obligations, the Government of Guyana has been funding most, if not all of the maintenance works on the ferry over the years.
