THOSE who regularly use the ferry boat service from the Essequibo River coast to Parika on its eastern bank and the larger islands on the route, will be pleased with the recent signing of the agreement between the governments of Guyana and China for constructing two modern ferries at a cost of US$14M to replace the older craft still being used. The ferries servicing the route are more than five decades old, coming on stream in the early 1960s through the visionary leadership of the then Premier Dr. Cheddi Jagan.
Others, over the years, have been on scheduled runs across the Berbice and Demerara rivers and on the route from Georgetown to the Northwest.
These and other smaller boats have done yeoman service in servicing residents, farmers, business people and others from the coast up the Berbice and Demerara rivers and Bartica, which has long been the gateway to the mining interior.
The Demerara Harbour Bridge has long replaced the ferry service across the Demerara River and the Berbice River Bridge has now removed the need for scheduled ferry services across that river.
But the Essequibo coast continues to rely on the ferry services lifeline and the new vessels coming on stream will be a boon to residents and others there.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds last week noted that when the vessels are commissioned into service, the flow of people and goods across the Essequibo River will increase considerably and the travelling time shortened.
He, however, understandably said that the Guyana government would be heartened if the Chinese government could deliver the vessels ahead of the scheduled delivery date, maybe around mid 2011.
Indeed, if this happens, it would be a most fine gesture because it is a trying experience to travel with the current ferries across the Essequibo River.
Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Yu Wenzhe believes that the benefits will be felt by the farmers in the field and workers in the factory, and that the friendship and cooperation between the two countries will redound to concrete benefits.
This is a very pertinent observation by the Ambassador as Essequibo is the largest agricultural producing county in Guyana.
It produces massive amounts of rice, fruits, vegetables, ground provisions, fish, fruit juices and other processed agricultural products and therefore these vessels will certainly help to boost the economy of Essequibo and income of farmers and agricultural processers as more of these produce and products could be transported in a shorter time which amounts to greater efficiency and, by extension, less costs and greater profit margins.
Transport has long been regarded as a crucial factor in improving agricultural productivity. It enhances the quality of life of the people, creates market for agricultural produce, facilitates interaction among geographical and economic regions and opens up new areas to economic focus.
A study in Nigeria by Ajiboye, A. O. and O. Afolayan on the impact of transportation on agricultural production in a developing country, found that improved transportation will encourage farmers to work harder in the rural areas for increased production, add value to their products, reduce spoilage and wastage, empower the farmers as well as have a positive impact on their productivity, income, employment, and reduce poverty levels in the rural areas, since it will be easier to move inputs and workers to farm as well as products to markets and agro-allied industries.
The two new ferries due next year will be another boon for the steadily improving transport network in Guyana.