AN agreement for the construction of two new roll-on, roll-off ferries to ply the Parika/Adventure route was yesterday signed by the
Governments of Guyana and China. The vessels, to be constructed in China at a cost of $89,520,000 RMB (the equivalent of approximately US$591,832,000 and which should
be completed by year-end 2011, is long awaited by residents of the Essequibo Coast as it will considerably reduce the current four-
hour travelling time for commuters.
Affixing their signatures to the blueprint were Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn, on behalf of the Government of
Guyana and Mr. Huang Shaowen, Commercial and Trade Attaché at the Chinese Embassy here, on behalf of the Chinese Government.
Also present were Prime Minister Sam Hinds, who has overall responsibility for the Works Ministry; Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Mr.
Yu Wuenzhe; and  Minister of Foreign Affairs Foreign Trade, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett; and representatives from the Ministries of
Foreign Affairs, Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), the Maritime Administration Department (MARD) and the Demerara Harbour
Bridge.
The Chinese Ambassador, speaking at the ceremony in Minister’s Benn’s Wight’s Lane Office, expressed the hope that the vessels will
greatly improve the day to day activity of persons travelling from Parika to Adventure.
He said the signing is yet another example of the fruitful cooperation and relations between the two countries whose main focus is
people-centred development, and has resulted in concrete benefits with tangible results.
Noting that both countries are in the process of developing national economy and social development in order to improve the day to
day lives of the people, the Ambassador said he believes that the benefits will be felt by the farmers in the field and workers in
the factory, and that the friendship and cooperation will redound to concrete benefits.
Prime Minister Hinds noted that with the arrival of the vessels, the flow of people and goods across the Essequibo River will
increase considerably and the travelling time shortened.
He however noted that the Guyana Government would be heartened if the Chinese Government could deliver the vessel ahead of the
scheduled delivery date, maybe around mid 2011.
Minister Rodrigues-Birkett, in her remarks, mentioned that in addition to the cost of constructing the ferry, there will be an added
charge for supervision of the works and, upon completion, for transporting the vessels to Guyana.
She recalled that the Guyana and Chinese Governments have been in negotiations in relation to the contract for sometime and it is
heartening to see the contract now being signed.
She too expressed the hope that the scheduled completion time for the two new vessels could be fast tracked, noting too that the
construction represents another addition to the assistance to Guyana from China. And which includes the Guyana International
Conference Centre, the Skeldon Sugar factory and the Chinese Medical Brigade.
Guyana established diplomatic relations with China in 1972 and is on record as the first English-speaking country to forge relations
with that country.
Meanwhile, repairs to the new ferry stelling at Supenaam to accommodate the roll-on, roll-off vessels will be competed in time for
their arrival, Minister Benn said yesterday.
The needed components to effect these repairs are currently being sourced and mobilisation has also begun.
In addition, much-need rehabilitation works will also be effected to the Adventure Stelling, he added.