-business community praises move

IN the absence of MV Canawaima, M.B Sandaka will ply the Moleson Creek-South Drain route from Thursday, until further notice, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure announced on Monday.

Based on a scheduled established by the Management of the Guyana-Suriname Ferry Service, M.B Sandaka will depart Moleson Creek Terminal – Guyana at 09:00 hours (Check-in: 06:30 hours to 8:00hrs) and depart South Drain – Suriname at 11:30 hours (check-in 08:00 hours).

The Public Infrastructure Ministry was keen on noting that the M.B. Sandaka cannot accommodate 20ft and 40ft containers and trucks with height and width in excess of 3 meters and 2.7 meters respectively.

President of the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, Mohindra Persaud, told Guyana Chronicle that the intervention by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure was most welcome.

“This is great news for the region,” he told this newspaper.

Persaud said trading of commodities between the two countries was severely affected. “Persons trading between the two countries had to resort to alternative boats but that was more expensive, and time consuming. So having this vessel will greatly be greatly welcomed,” he said.

The Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce President said the Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, ought to be applauded for his intervention.
President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce Mohamed Raffik echoed similar sentiments. “This is an excellent move and I will like to commend the Minister for that,” he said.

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

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.’