After being out of commission for just over three months, the Guyana-Suriname Ferry Service is expected to resume on Thursday.
This was announced on Monday by the Public Infrastructure Ministry.
On May 28, it was reported that the MV Canawaima Ferry had encountered technical issues and would not ply the Moleson Creek, Guyana – Nickerie, Suriname route.
At that time, Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson had said that the vessel was being powered by a tug for some time which encountered some issues.
Meanwhile, Terminal Manager Gale Culley-Greene was quoted by the Department of Public Information (DPI) as saying that the MV Canawaima Ferry has been experiencing mechanical difficulties for some time and a decision was taken to have the vessel assessed and repaired.
On Monday the notice from the Public Infrastructure Ministry stated that the Ministry, the management of the ferry service, anticipates a smooth flow of operations once again since the MB Sandaka was recently repaired and outfitted with two hydro-master propulsion systems, powered by two Caterpillar engines. MB Sandaka will be in operation from September 26 until further advised, the Ministry’s notice stated. It added that it will depart the Moleson Creek Terminal at 09:00h (Check-in: 06:30h to 08:00h) and depart South Drain-Suriname at 11:30h (check-in: 08:00h to 10:00h).
It was also noted that MB Sandaka cannot accommodate 20ft and 40ft containers and trucks with heights and widths in excess of three metres and 2.7 metres respectively.
The ferry service was introduced to Guyana on October 28, 1998, under the Companies Act Number 29 of 1991 of the Laws of Guyana. It is jointly owned by the Governments of Guyana and Suriname as each country owns 50 per cent of the issued share capital.
Only two years ago, the Government’s Department of Public Information (DPI) reported that major upgrades were ongoing at the Guyana-Suriname Ferry Service.
The then Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Annette Ferguson, had told the DPI that those included repairs to the manager’s office and VIP lounge, removal of vents and installation of doors, removal of windows, repairs to the washroom and waiting area and some other works in the canteen and waiting area.
The project, which commenced on May 30, 2017, was executed to the tune of $9.2 million.
