Two months after the Ministry of Public Works promised that a part for the gear box of the Chinese-made ferry, Sabanto, will arrive in Guyana, there is still no sign of the part which is needed for the ferry to resume a more efficient service.
As lately as two days ago, consumers and members of the business community were complaining of the long travelling time. The ferry is currently working on only one engine which results in a slower travel time with trips taking as long as three hours. The ferry usually plies the route from Parika to Supenaam and return and hundreds of commuters depend on the ferry since it’s cheaper and has convenient travelling times.
“It’s real pressure for us, you see I am into the trucking business and that’s where I get my earnings. Since the boat broke down, it’s a lot of pressure and sleepless nights. The wait is long,” a truck driver lamented.
“When it comes from Supenaam and reach Parika, it’s the same boat they offloading and send it back, [but] when you check the online it has another boat name and it’s the same slow boat coming for you. It’s real pressure; we really need the government to fix this simple problem,” another passenger related.
One businessman said that the business community relies on the ferry service to conduct businesses and with the [engine] issue, it’s consuming a lot of persons’ time.
When contacted again, the Ministry of Public Works told this newspaper that the part was sourced. It was not disclosed when it will arrive or when the issue will be fixed.
Residents and consumers are therefore calling on the President Irfaan Ali to look into the matter urgently since the private sector relies heavily on the ferry service.
