THE Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) is currently sourcing boat builders to construct two brand-new speedboats to replace the two hired boats operating in the Berbice River.
This was disclosed by Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Anette Ferguson on Tuesday. The minister explained that in response to the hefty bridge tolls imposed at the Berbice Bridge, the ministry intervened to assist school children and the elderly.

Two speedboats were contracted in 2015 to remedy the situation and have been in operation since. School children and pensioners are transported free of cost while other passengers pay $140. These boats currently operate from 06:00hours until 09:00 hours and then again from 14:00 hours to 18:00 hours on weekdays.

The minister related that the use of these boats are a long-term solution and as such the ministry has decided to have their own boats working instead of contracting private operators. This newspaper understands that the boat operators are paid weekly by the ministry. “In this year’s budgetary allocations, the government has given in excess of $20M, so T&HD is currently sourcing boat builders to construct two brand-new speed boats,” she stated.