GOVERNMENT officials are to meet shortly with the contractor and consultant to resolve technical issues, which surfaced during a December 15 trial operation of the new, modern ferry stelling, at Good Hope on Essequibo Coast. Transport and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn made the disclosure, in response to a query about the much anticipated roll-on, roll-off vessels to be built by the Chinese.

He said the difficulties arose while trying to offload a fully laden truck using the side-loading section of the pier.

The structure, constructed by B.K. International, was, initially, designed to facilitate use by specially designed roll-on, roll-off vessels and, because of the location, will considerably reduce the travelling time and distance between the Essequibo Coast and Parika, East Bank Essequibo, the latter being an agricultural nerve centre to become a secondary town.

The side-loading section, which allows for berthing and discharging of standard vessels, including the existing ones, was one of the additions to the original design.

The construction of the wharf is a welcome development for Essequibians, in particular farmers who are presently at a disadvantage to get their perishable goods marketed in Georgetown on a timely basis and businessmen who continue to suffer as a result of the state of the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) stelling at Adventure, on Essequbo Coast, as well.

However, building the new ferry boats would take about two years and, in the meantime, efforts are being made to start using the already erected stelling that can, simultaneously, accommodate two.

It is of a reinforced concrete frame supported on land by 50 timber piles and extends 400 feet into Essequibo River.
The extended part has the support of reinforced pre-cast concrete piling and a floating bridge and a pontoon facilitates the mooring of vessels.