KINGSTON - The Government of Guyana, through the Public Infrastructure Ministry, is slated to spend over $220 million on the upgrade and repairs of ferries, which ply various routes across the country.
This announcement was made by Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Annette Ferguson during a media briefing on Monday last.
The Minister explained that the MV Lady Northcote will dock this month for emergency repairs at an estimated cost of $70 million.
The Lady Northcote, which plies the Georgetown-Port Kaituma route, is 77 years old, making it the oldest vessel of the Transport and Harbour Department (T&HD) fleet.
The ferry was docked for about two weeks after it caught fire while on its way to Georgetown from the North West in March 2012. Based on reports, the fire was said to have been caused by an oil leak in its engine room. Following this incident, engineers worked speedily on repairs to the vessel and within 20 days it was operational again.
Furthermore, Minister Ferguson explained that the T&HD will also be docking the MV Sandaka, MV Barima and the MV Kimbia for repairs.
“These repairs are estimated to be 150 million Guyana dollars and the vessels will be docked during the period of September to December 2015.”
The MV Kimbia is a passenger and cargo vessel that has the capacity to transport 200 persons. It is said to be one of the oldest vessels in the maritime public transport system and has served the T&HD for more than 70 years. The vessel had undergone repairs in the Vieira dry dock facility located at Houston, Greater Georgetown in 2009.
A sum of $35 million in capital expenditure was budgeted for repairs on the vessel, but instead a $53 million contract was signed. During the initial repair works, additional problems were revealed and another $30 million of work had to be done. The MV Kimbia was docked again in 2013, at the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC), where it spent several months undergoing meticulous repairs. A $118 million contract was signed for the vessel to be docked at the GNIC facility.
Former President Donald Ramotar had negotiated an agreement with India to have concessional credit to purchase a passenger ferry to help Guyana overcome transportation problems in the northern region. I n addition, the former Administration obtained financial aid from China, a sum of US$14.4 million to procure two new vessels in January 2012, the Sabanto and the Kanawan. These ferries have enhanced accommodation features and greater seating capacity. They are currently operational in the Essequibo River.
The dispensing of funds comes at a time where the Government is seeking to revamp the T&HD. However, much works remain to be done on the various stellings especially Vreed-en-Hoop’s, which continues to be the disgust of passengers. (Guyana Times)
