General Manager of the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) Marcelene Merchant yesterday said that though the ferry service being provided to Wakenaam is not where the T&HD would like it to be, it is the best that can be done given the agency’s current resources.
She was at the time responding to criticisms of the service by angry Wakenaam residents, who argued that they were being made to endure the “intolerable practices of the ferry service.”
In a letter in the Sunday Stabroek, several residents stated that though formal representation was made to the department, nothing has been done to address their situation. Among the various complaints, residents said that as a result of the deficient service, they are forced to await the arrival of the MV Malali at Wakenaam to find out from its captain when the boat will make its departure to Parika, since the “clerk-in-charge” in unable to do so.
They said the deficient service has led to the continuous disruption of business and services in Wakenaam.
A trip to the Parika Stelling on Sunday afternoon confirmed that the clerk responsible was not in possession of the MV Malali’s arrival and departure schedule for the Wakenaam area.
Merchant explained that the schedule detailing the Malali’s daily arrival and departure to the islands is usually placed in the Guyana Chronicle. She said the schedule details the vessel’s activities for an entire month, and is usually released at the beginning of the month. Stabroek News was able to confirm that a schedule had appeared in the January 16 edition of the Guyana Chronicle, detailing the Malali’s operations in Wakenaam and Leguan for the month of January.
Residents also said that when the Malali leaves Wakenaam at midnight, it usually heads to Leguan, where it waits until about 6.30 am before leaving for Parika. Residents questioned the fairness of having to go to Leguan, the waiting until 6.30 am to depart to Parika when they would have boarded the vessel since midnight. They also pointed out the resulting impracticality of being expected to drive back to Parika for a 4 pm ferry, after arriving at Parika at 9 am the same day.
It was said that many vehicles often fail to return by the stipulated time, forcing them to make bookings on the next day’s ferry or stay at relatives close by.
While she agreed that the period of time spent travelling is significant, Merchant stated that it was necessary if residents from both Leguan and Wakenaam are to be equally serviced.
She explained that the deficiency results from the fact that the Malali is the only vessel which plies these locations. She said that if the Malali were to travel directly to Parika from Wakenaam, the residents of Leguan would be made to wait tedious hours until the vessel returned for them. Nevertheless, she did say that on occasions where the Malali left exceptionally early, instructions are usually given for the vessel to make its way to Parika before heading to Leguan.
The vessel’s departure time however is sporadic, as it depends on the tide.
She also added that on Wednesdays and Fridays, the MV Makouria, which usually plies the Parika-Bartica route, is usually sent to assist the Malali in servicing Leguan and Wakenaam.
Merchant said that until plans can be finalised to have another vessel assist in the area there is not much that can be done.
She said the T&HD had been examining the possibility of taking the MB Sandaka, which once plied the New Amsterdam-Rosignol route to alleviate the Malali’s burden of servicing Wakenaam and Leguan.
She said however that a large amount of uncertainty surrounds this since the MB Bonasika, which currently plies New Amsterdam-Rosignol is propelled by a tug, as against to being self propelled.
According to Merchant, it is highly unlikely that the Sandaka could be being taken to the Essequibo River to assist with the Wakenaam and Leguan routes, until the Bonasika is upgraded.
