OVER the years, the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), through the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, has been working to maintain a high standard of river transport for citizens.

Speaking with the newspaper recently, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, stated that more improvements are to come.
“Serving as a government, you’re not just serving because one region would have voted for the ‘green,’ that means that all efforts or emphasis should be given to that region. When you become minister, you’re a minister for everybody. You have to treat everybody equally,” Ferguson stressed.

She stated that when the government took over the Transport and Harbours Department in 2015 there were many deficiencies regarding maintenance, fuel and employee-related issues.

With the re-establishment of the T&HD Advisory Council, which dormant for some 19 years, the ministry enabled the body, in accordance with Section 5 of the Transport and Harbours Act, to serve as a ‘middle man’ for ministers and operators.

It has since been working to address challenges relating to T&HD staffing and administration; policies and regulations and the improvement of the overall efficiency and functioning of the T&HD.

Meanwhile, doing its part, the ministry continues to invest in maintaining the ferry services operating routes in Regions One (Barima-Waini); Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) to ensure long-term service.

The MV Barima in Region One has recently been rehabilitated; the MV Kimbia is being rehabilitated and is expected to be in service by the second quarter of 2019; the two vessels plying the Region Two route have received maintenance works on their engines.
Minister Ferguson said that works are also being conducted on the almost 70-year-old vessel, Lady Northcote, to maintain its seaworthiness and ability to meet the needs of residents in Region One.

“It brings a sort of relief to the travelling public, not only through easier travel, as passengers are more comfortable, but it cuts down the time in which the vessels would take from areas like port Georgetown to Region One,” Minister Ferguson said.

“Some of these vessels would have been outfitted with proper seating accommodation; they also have the luxury of viewing a video by way of television and it really means a lot for the travelling public; and so far the feedback that we have been receiving is that persons are happy with what they have seen so far.”

To ensure that the overall experience is a comfortable and safe one, over the years the government has been working to improve the stellings and wharves at several locations.
From 2015 to present, the Public Infrastructure Ministry has injected over G$240M into first-phase renovations at the Bartica Stelling and is now moving ahead into the second phase.

Upon completion, over $700M in investment towards a modern stelling will see the location being outfitted with restrooms, a waiting area for passengers, an administrative office and booths for vendors to ply their trade.

“We needed a modern facility where persons can sit and relax as they wait on the ferry. It’s all in the package of improving the image of Bartica and we’re also working on our tourism package. If we’re going to work on tourism, then we must be able to have the right facilities for tourists,” Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall had told the newspaper recently.

Over at the Parika Stelling, similar modernised features are expected to take place with funding from the United Kingdom (UK); the upgrading of the Leguan Stelling is expected to pick up pace by the end of 2019 into 2020.

The condition of these facilities has long been an eye-sore and point of complaints for many citizens who traverse the routes daily; and being able to gradually address them is what Ferguson says being a minister is all about.

“Coming to the minister, laying your issues before him and her; and being able to have those things addressed in an expeditious manner means a lot not only to the individual who would be the final beneficiary, but at least you have that opportunity to ensure that the difference is created in the life of an individual,” she said.

“I have visited many comminutes in all the regions and the state in which we would have seen it while I was a Member of Parliament trying to make a difference on the opposition benches is different now that I have a chance to serve as a government minister. We are able to change the outlook of a number of communities…with the oil and gas industry coming on stream, I see Guyana rising from its ashes and I know better things are in store for our communities.”

Meanwhile, still on matters relating to Guyana’s waterways, Ferguson stated that from 2015 to date, the government has placed much emphasis on the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) through the procurement and rehabilitative works on pilot launches.
A ‘pilot launch’ is used by members of MARAD to pilot in passengers or a crew from large ships which visit Guyana.

In 2019, the government intends to increase this fleet and will also work to maintain other existing launches through the provision of navigational aids; the fixing and demarcation of floating buoys and beacons and the procurement of spares.

As Guyana steps into the oil and gas industry, Minister Ferguson said that Guyana’s maritime laws are on the agenda for modification in 2019 and beyond.

“Our current laws do not allow for this whole new industry that will be coming on stream, so we would be moving to have our legislation reviewed and revised, so as to incorporate this new industry,” she said.