MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Jaipaul Sharma, on Wednesday, met with rice farmers and a miller, as well as other business persons in Leguan, Region Three where he committed to resuming the regular operating hours of the ferry service for a limited time.

The Minister was, at the time, addressing the residents, during a meeting which was specifically held to discuss the issues affecting them on the Island.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Minister Sharma was told that due to the ongoing construction works at the Leguan Stelling, the regular operating hours of the ferry service were disrupted, affecting rice farmers and the business community as well as general commuters.

The release said the service was disrupted as the stelling was not in a safe state to facilitate heavy loads and hence needed repairs.

Several suggestions were made but the Minister eventually agreed to resume the service for a period of time to cater for the transportation of the residents’ goods especially their rice produce.

The Minister said that the ferry will be arriving in Leguan around 07:00hrs to facilitate the business persons. The vessel will later return to the Island from Parika, during the afternoon hours, at approximately 16:00hrs.

During the visit, Minister Sharma was also taken on a walkabout to assess some of the ongoing and completed projects. “The Minister observed that drainage works were progressing well to aid in significantly reducing flooding in the area, caused by heavy rainfall. The clearing of the drains will assist the rice farmers and cash crop farmers,” the release said.
It noted that the works were being undertaken by a private contractor, A. Nazeir Construction and General Supplies, for the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

Minister Sharma was told of some of the major works that were required, including the clearing of a major canal at Uniform to Richmond Hill on the Island. Residents stressed the importance of that project as they pointed out that the area was recently inundated due to heavy rainfall.

Residents also used the opportunity to request assistance to fix about eight street lights which have not been working for a few weeks.