MINISTER of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings, said officials from Guyana and Suriname are expected to meet next week to hammer out arrangements for the resumption of the Guyana/Suriname ferry service.

It has been more than two months since the MV Canawaima, the ferry vessel that plies from Moleson Creek on the Guyana side to South Drain in Suriname, was pulled from service after experiencing prolonged mechanical difficulties. The vessel provides a vital service for persons, including tourists, businessmen and women, who ply their trade between the two countries.

During an interview on ‘Insight,’ the Foreign Affairs Minister said the Guyanese Government is cognizant of the challenges facing persons who would usually ply that route, and is making every effort to resolve the issue. She is hopeful that the meeting between the two sides will bear fruit.

Minister Cummings said the Guyanese Government has informed the Surinamese Government that the Transport and Harbours Department’s (T&HD) M.V Sandaka can be utilised in the interim but they would have to stand the costs, however, Suriname, to date, has not responded.

The ferry service, which is owned and controlled by Guyana and Suriname, was launched on November 6, 1998, based on shared-responsibilities. However, according to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Suriname has not been holding up its side of the agreement.
Financial and other arrangements for defraying operational expenses are outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Government of the Republic of Suriname on the Formation and Operation of the Joint Ferry Service between the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Republic of Surname (1998).

According to the agreement, the maintenance of the ferry is to be shared equally. This has not occurred. In a bid to reduce the hardships to passengers and businesses using the service and in order to give the neighbouring state time to meet its obligations, the Government of Guyana has been funding most, if not all, of the maintenance works on the ferry over the years.

Reports indicate that the management of the M.V. Canawaima continues to lose much-needed revenue amounting to in excess of $20M monthly, from such a vital service that was provided between the two countries, especially during this ‘peak period.’ Even as the authorities hammer out an arrangement, the non-operation of the Guyana/Suriname ferry service remains an inconvenience to businessmen and women, who are now forced to utilise the ‘backtrack’ service, which is quite unsafe.