Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn says that the 75-year-old ferry, MV Lady Northcote is to be put out of commission because of obsolescence of parts due to the age of the vessel and efforts are being made for its replacement.
The vessel commenced operations in 1937.
In responding to questions in Parliament on Thursday from APNU MP Richard Allen as to why it was that the two North West ferries – the MV Kimbia and MV Lady Northcote have not been docked as yet, Minister Benn said that the tender for the docking of the MV Lady Northcote was opened on July 3, 2012.
But he said that because of the age of the vessel, the Government decided to annul the docking.
He said that of recent the Department has been placed under enormous pressure to maintain and service several major components that are obsolete, such as main engines, main gearboxes, cargo winch DC motors, DC generator to power cargo winch and auxiliary equipment, and cargo winch and mechanical controls.
“As a consequence of that decision, the MV Barima was identified to replace the MV Lady Northcote temporarily until another vessel is acquired for which efforts are in train,” Benn said.
He said that tenders for the MV Barima were opened on November 27, 2012 and the bids were evaluated and resubmitted to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board on December 3, 2012 for approval.
He said that the MV Barima should be docked by the last week in January 2013.
As for the MV Kimbia, the Minister said that the docking of that ferry was publicly advertised and at the time of closing of bids on July 3, 2012 only one bid was received and this came from the Guyana National Industrial Company Inc for $118,795,393.
“However, the sum provided in the capital programme for Transport and Harbours Department was $95,000,000 – a shortfall of $23,000,000,” the Minister said.
He said that following a decision for the shortfall to be met by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), approval was granted by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board for the docking of the MV Kimbia for the sum of $118,795,398 by GNIC.
He said that because of the imminent Christmas season, T&HD decided to continue the Kumaka, Northwest route with this vessel for December 2012.
