–to enhance local travel, Public Works Minister says

MINISTER of Public Works, Juan Edghill had said that the Government of Guyana is looking to acquire fit-for-purpose vessels to enhance local travel.

The minister made this announcement recently in a response to questions regarding various passenger vessels traversing Guyana’s waters and the procurement of other vessels.
He said while some persons might question the age of vessels operating here, at this, time fit-for-purpose is what is required.

“The issue here of age is something that all of us in this house must recognise. At this time, fit-for-purpose is what is required while you go to the next level,” he said during the recent sitting of the National Assembly.

The next level, Edghill related, would entail efforts to acquire new vessels. He mentioned that one of the challenges experienced in trying to acquire new vessels includes the time it takes to be able to procure them.

He disclosed that at one of the most recent trade missions from the United States was engaged on the possibility of assisting with the procurement of vessels that might be available at auctions on the US market.

Edghill indicated: “So while somebody might want to say you’re buying an old vessel, to get a new one takes two years or even more.”

However, he added that they were able to get the government of India through the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE), to build the M.V. Ma Lisha in record time and deliver it to Guyana.

“So you have to see what the market has to offer… but we are looking at acquiring fit-for-purpose vessels that will one, improve consumption, two, time in terms of travel and certainly as a number one priority and I should’ve said that first, safety,” Edghill said.