Concerns have been expressed about the state of the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling which accommodates a number of vendors now that there is no longer a Georgetown-Vreed-en-Hoop ferry service and just a small section is used for speedboats. This week we asked persons using the stelling for their views on it. Their comments follow…
Basmattie Vieira, housewife – ‘At the back is a little bad and in front needs some repairs. Also there are a few boards there that might need to change. I think it just needs some repairs.’
Amanda Johnson, teacher – ‘The stelling has stood there for years and is a major transit point or intersection between Region 3 and Region 4 and it has a lot of spots for vendors. Lately more persons have been traversing the stelling more rapidly due to the growth in population in Region 3 and because many have to travel to Region 4 for employment. However the old stelling has been the same over the years. Fractions of repairs have been done to it but not on the entire structure and currently it needs internal and external repairs, since it gets very slippery in the rainy season. Some of the steps are rotten and shaky, which pose a threat to senior citizens, pregnant mothers and even children.’
Indira Bhola, vendor – ‘Everything is well here. I can’t say nothing bad because is right here I getting my daily bread. But the gate needs some repairs and some of the boards need to change.’
Chandrawattie Manbodh, vendor – ‘We are comfortable here. The place needs some repairs yes. But there was a meeting here the other day with President Donald Ramotar and we told Transport and Harbours also. There is some leaking when it rains, but we tell them about it and show them the place where it’s leaking.’
Raphael Richardson, bowman – ‘I see some improvements. They put on lights on the stelling. The step is safe and everything is good. It’s just that we have to assist the passengers to make sure that they don’t fall overboard and hold the children hand to come in the boat.’
Ulita Yaw, senior clerk – ‘The stelling needs rails because sometimes there is a buildup of passengers and if someone is accidentally pushed, they can easily fall over. Needed repairs are also obvious since the
boats will hit the step time and again while persons are entering or disembarking a boat and the entire step will shift with the impact which can result in persons falling.’
Carmel Roberts, retired senior mistress – ‘Sometimes it appears life threatening. I am not a regular user of the stelling but from the few times I use it, I am basing my comments on those experiences. In the peak hours when everybody is rushing to work, persons can easily slip and fall over, so I think it needs rails and also improvements to facilitate the older people.’
Learia Primo, GTI student – ‘Stellings are a vital means of transportation in Guyana. They accommodate the flow of boats into and out of areas where motor vehicles cannot go and persons are often able to travel faster using boats. Nevertheless even the greatest blessing can be easily turned into a curse if it is not well appreciated. Some of our stellings are in deplorable conditions. They are left to deteriorate over time, thereby endangering users. The young, the old and the indifferent use the stellings to travel and there have been many instances where persons have hurt or sometimes injured themselves because of the poor conditions of our stellings. Some may suggest that the existence of stellings be extinguished but I disagree. It is not what you have but what you do with it. Getting rid of stellings in Guyana means creating an even bigger transportation issue. The proper maintenance is what is necessary in order for the significance of stellings in Guyana to be underscored.’
Kenroy, vendor – ‘The stelling plays an essential part in the transport of persons from the boat. We have old people and children using it and right now I see it needs a little upgrading for the security of the passengers.’
Commie Wong, housewife – ‘The Georgetown/West Demerara stelling needs refurbishing. I don’t believe that replacing old boards with new ones and propping up what is falling apart is good enough. A complete renovation of the structure is needed. Commuters can also be at risk when using the facility as it becomes slippery, especially when it rains.’
