Letter to the Editor

 

Dear Editor,

 

The recently signed contract between the Transport and Harbours Department and Garden Reach Shipbuilders Engineers Ltd (GRSEL) to design, build and supply an ocean-going passenger and cargo vessel will ensure that future travels to the northwest district and others parts of Guyana are faster, safer and more efficient. Moreover, the vessel will be modern and built according to the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Classification Society and will meet every single operational requirement of SOLAS, IMO, ILO and MARAD.

 

The Ministry strongly denounces the assumptions made by the former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson in his statement dated January 15, 2021. What Mr. Patterson needs to recognize is that the Irfaan Ali’s Administration will not accept and/ or tolerate mediocracy. That is, the proposed contract Patterson left when he omitted office in 2020 was not the same contract the Government of Guyana penned. Therefore, the statement issued by Patterson is rendered null and void, Patterson clearly is looking for political popularity at this time.

 

Further Editor, because of Patterson’s lack of knowledge on the newly penned contract, we wish to enlighten the former minister with the facts in the coming paragraphs.

 

After almost two (2) years of being stalled for failing to receive the India Exim Bank’s no objection to the award of the contract for the design, build and supply the new ferry vessel, the people of Guyana will be happy to know that over the past four months and subsequent to the intervention of the new Government of Guyana has negotiated a contract with GRSEL that meets every single specification of the second round of Tender that commenced on May 8, 2018.

 

The award of contract to GRSEL in the sum of 12.7M USD has saved the people of Guyana 2.8M USD as the only other bidder Shoft Shipyard Private Ltd (SSPL) priced tender was 15.3M USD. The savings of 2.8M USD will be invested in the construction of new stellings at Morawhanna, Kumaka and Port Kaituma in the Region No 1.

 

Had Patterson been in government today, the people of Guyana would have been paying 2.8M USD MORE FOR LESS. Yes! You read correctly. But, “Not under my watch.” Editor, I assure the people of Guyana that they will be getting MORE FOR LESS.

 

There is no scandal here, no need for grief or sorrow, only the comforting assurance that after several months of intense negotiation across two continents that are 9 ½ hours apart, the Ministry was able to sign a contract to design, build and supply a modern vessel that will drastically improve the life of citizens of Region 1 and cut travel time by almost 50% (from 22 hours to 12 hours).

The design-build nature of the contract will provide the Ministry with the opportunity to review and approve every plan or drawing submitted by GRSEL before construction of the vessel commences.

 

The contract also provides for the Transport and Harbours Department directly and/or through its agents travel to India periodically to carry out inspections of the vessel at critical milestone in the life of the vessel’s construction before payments are disbursed to the Shipbuilder.

 

Training of Pilots, Engineers and other Crew members on the navigational, safety and other aspects of the new vessel is also an important component of the project that will be carried during the construction life of the vessel.

 

The final negotiated contract allows Guyanese to get value for money. Editor, please allow me to explain to Mr. Patterson what the Guyanese people will be receiving for 12.7M USD.

• The design build nature of the contract means the Ministry gets to review and approve every single plan or drawing during the finalization of the General Arrangement Plan (GAP).

• The basic function of the vessel with the length overall will be 66.0m, breadth 13.2m, depth 4.0m and draft 3.0m.

• Damage stability criteria is a function of the design and will re-evaluated on finalization of the General Arrangement Plan (GAP).

• A low ramp will be provided.

• A Crane will be located on the starboard side. According to the contract a crane shall be placed at an optimum location based on cargo handling requirements.

• For refrigerated cargo there will be non-standard refrigerated containers to cater for 30-35 tonnes of refrigerated cargo”, will be provided as per specifications.

• Vehicles stowing on the vessel will be stowed in fore and aft directions in keeping with classification society and international regulations.

• For hulling, the design caters for side shell plate – 6mm; bottom – 12mm and keel 14mm and double barrier as required by international regulations for ocean vessels.

• Cargo hatch with coaming is standard practice in order to meet SOLAS/ Class requirements. The size and location of the hatch will be decided based on cargo handling requirements as well as space required for movement of vehicles.

• All crew members will be accommodated in individual cabins with individual sanitary facilities in the superstructure.

• For safety and navigation, the field of view from Bridge complies with requirements of SOLAS, Chapter V "safety of navigation", Regulation 22: Navigational Bridge Visibility. The 360 degrees view from bridge is not a requirement as per SOLAS.

 

From the technical specifications outlined above, I am sure by now that Mr. Patterson would recognize that what we are getting from GRSEL is a much more superior vessel than what he was negotiating from when he was in government.

 

Finally, the Government of Guyana worked conscientiously to receive a contract that will be beneficial for the peoples of Guyana, especially the citizens in the Northwest District.

 

Yours Faithfully,

Hon. Bishop Juan A. Edghill

Minister of Public Works