(Trinidad Guardian) A former transport minister under the United National Congress (UNC) is applauding a plan by T&T, Guyana and Barbados to create a company that will establish a ferry service between the islands.
Chandresh Sharma made the comment in response to an announcement by Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali that all three Caricom states would be embarking on a new trade-related project and that a company was formed on Thursday to do so.
Speaking at the signing of the agreement for the construction of a 220-metre long four-lane Wismar Bridge in his country on Friday, Dr Ali said the new bridge will create more opportunities for trade between Brazil, Guayana and other Caricom nations including the trio that is planning to invest in ferries.
Ali announced that T&T, Guyana and Barbados had formed “the first company … a joint company that would work to the introduction of a ferry system for passenger and cargo between Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Barbados. That would open up massive opportunities!” Dr Ali said.
Replying to the news, Sharma said it was a welcomed initiative towards the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) and may help to reduce regional travel expenses.
“I think it’s an excellent idea, long overdue. The cost of goods roving through the islands–one of the huge challenges we face is the timely delivery of goods and costs. The countries coming together to pursue such will increase trade, will increase the movement of goods and services. When we think of goods, we also have to think of the services that the goods will require to reach its destination and to be consumed as well, even if it’s goods that may be for house building or in agriculture,” Sharma said.
He added that it has been on the Caricom agenda for quite some time, and notes that it may be the right move to assist individuals who find air travel to be costly.
“Air travel has become very competitive and very expensive and I think all of us will benefit from it. I could see the small man benefiting because oftentimes he can’t afford the more expensive way of moving his goods. I can see trades people being able to go to the islands and work for a day or two or take their tools with them, similar to the boat that goes to Tobago where vehicles can go and carry goods for the small hardware and distributors if that can also be developed and then we expand. So, the time is right,” he said.
Furthermore, Sharma responded to critics who may slam the Government’s intended participation in a new ferry service when there are constant shortfalls in the inter-island sea bridge.
“I don’t think anyone should worry too much about that. The requirement to expand business to make more opportunities available is required. The shipping arrangements between Trinidad and Tobago would have challenges, like in everywhere else, it’s not only between our two islands. Many other places have that challenge. One must appreciate the arrangements we have between Trinidad and Tobago are heavily subsidised, similar to the water taxi, so it doesn’t earn revenue per say,” he said.
“For instance, when people go on the water taxi, the water taxi is not earning money, we are highly subsidising that but, of course, it keeps vehicles off the road and it saves on the traffic, the pollution and we lose less man hours. So, both have to be looked at, but you don’t need to focus only on Tobago and not explore developing this. The experience from it will also aid Tobago, I’m sure. So, I can see more pluses from it,” he added.
When Guardian Media reached out to Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan for more details about this agreement, he asked for time before he answered. He said he was gathering information on the subject and will address the media today at a ministry event. Guardian Media reached out to the Minister of Public works, Transport and Water Resources in Barbados. However, Santia Bradshaw did not immediately respond.
