IN ORDER to ensure that all Guyanese, particularly those who live in Leguan, Wakenaam, Essequibo Coast, and Bartica, have access to effective water transportation, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, says the government is currently testing a private vessel, the MV Hercules, with the intention of purchasing it.

“We have engaged the owner of the vessel since the vessel is already in Guyana to do testing,” Edghill told the Sunday Chronicle in an interview.

He noted with a “rapidly growing economy” such as Guyana’s, it is not surprising that more people are “moving, travelling, and touring” from one destination to another in larger numbers.
“Even though we have ferries operating along these routes already, because of the number of people and vehicles that are travelling to Georgetown and other places across the country for business or pleasure, it is only fitting that we get an additional vessel. Many people, specifically from the areas that I’ve mentioned, have also asked for additional assistance so that they wouldn’t have to be stuck at the different ports with their vehicles.”

According to the Public Works Minister, “The MV Hercules has made several trips to Leguan, Wakenaam, Supenaam, and Bartica. It completed the trips in good time, and we are also looking at the fuel consumption and passenger flow. As it is right now, it is only a matter of finalising the details for the purchase and acquisition and operationalising under Transport and Harbour [department].”

During the testing period, the owner of the vessel had his crew onboard, along with the crew from Transport and Harbour, to observe the operation and take notes as the vessel traverses the different waterways.

“Now that the testing period is going to come to an end, we will do a full review, negotiate the price, and have the vessel in the Transport and Harbour fleet. I also want to tell you that, right now, with the online booking service that is available, the vessel is more than needed to accommodate the additional vehicles that are left at Parika or the other ferry stellings. The vessel is estimated to carry at least 50 vehicles and about 60 persons,” Edghill said.

He emphasised that the vessel is feasible and will “greatly” benefit the farmers, especially those in Wakenaam and Leguan, to transport their paddy to the Parika Stelling and to the rice mills on the West Coast of Demerara.

“The big issue is the value for money in the purchase and its operability in terms of getting it done in a cohesive and structured manner in keeping with the schedules and other requirements,” he added.

The Sunday Chronicle reached out to several residents of Leguan, Essequibo, and Wakenaam, who all welcomed the additional vessel.

According to one of the residents of Region Two (Pomeroon / Supenaam), Anjanie (only name given), “I am the manager for a hardware store, and we purchase all of our materials and supplies from the West Coast of Demerara or in Georgetown. I can tell you that even though we have two boats that are working from Parika to Essequibo, sometimes we are left back with stocks because of the number of vehicles that are crossing; it doesn’t have space.

“And this does put us in a situation with our customers many times; people need their products, but we are stuck at Parika. So, this new boat will definitely be a great help to us in Essequibo, especially for my fellow businesspeople who travel up with their vehicles as well. Thank you to the government for this; it really is a good move. I really hope that they sign off on it.”