Dear Editor,
The Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) wishes to clarify the use and caption of a photograph that showed a section of the Parika Ferry Stelling on Kaieteur News’ front page on April 26, 2014.
The provocative photograph insinuated that part of the stelling was deliberately left to fall apart or neglected by management so that a new contractor could be hired to pocket billions of dollars.
However, T&HD would like to enlighten the public that the area highlighted on the front page has been cordoned off for the past six months for safety purposes because of its deplorable state. It should be noted that T&HD is seeking finances to repair the section, which had previously housed a bond. Furthermore, the cordoned off area has in no way disrupted the day-to-day operations of the facility.
In the meantime, T&HD continues to inject funds to maintain the driveway and the wharf that are critical to the stelling’s daily operations.
It is regrettable that neither the editor nor reporter/photographer of the newspaper sought an explanation from the department, or even tried to make contact with the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, who has been extremely helpful to the newspaper’s staff/reporters.
Yours faithfully,
Aneka Edwards
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Public Works
