By Joseph Allen
The India-built, ocean-going ferry MV Ma Lisha, yesterday docked at the KMC Bond, Kumaka, Region One as it completed its maiden voyage far quicker than its predecessor.
The journey which was set to take 12-15 hours actually took about 18 hours after the vessel set sail from Kingston, Georgetown on Thursday. Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill who was a passenger on the vessel’s maiden voyage said “This is a fulfillment of a commitment that was made to the people of Region One. We could have sailed way before but we had to wait to get some civil works done to facilitate the mooring. This was successfully executed.”
Edghill said that most of those who were travelling had done so for the first time to Region One, as they figured it was a big boat and more comfortable. The MV Ma Lisha is worth some $2.5 billion and was constructed in India after a contract was signed between the Trans-port and Harbours Department (T&HD), Guyana, and Indian company, Gar-den Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) back in January 2021. The government was able to fund the acquisition of the vessel via a loan/ grant it obtained from the Indian government.