Guyana, Suriname Ministers to meet today to discuss ferry service

Discussions on resumption of the Canawaima ferry service, which has been out of commission for some time, will begin today with officials from both Guyana and Suriname meeting to iron out outstanding matters concerning the ferry.
This was revealed by Guyana’s Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, who explained that he would be meeting his Surinamese counterpart, the Minister of Transport, Communication and Tourism, Albert Jubithana.
“On Monday, both the Management Committee and the joint venture board of the Canawaima ferry service will be meeting at the border for discussions with the two Ministers responsible, which is the Ministers responsible for transport,” Edghill said.

“In the case of Guyana, myself, and in the case of Suriname, the honourable Jubithana. So, we’ll be meeting at the border on Monday to finalise all outstanding matters as (they relate) to the Canawaima ferry service.”
While the Canawaima ferry has left the dry docks, it is still not in service. At present, it is the MV Sandaka that is working the route. Edghill noted that the Sandaka is not conducting a daily service in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also explained that the Public Works Ministry has sent technical personnel to Suriname ahead of the talks.
“These management boards have not met for long periods because Suriname did not have their directors in place. We were eager to get on with this since we got into Government; it took them a while,” Minister Edghill explained.
“They have since named their directors, and we want to be able to put all of the administrative and management issues that are outstanding to rest, so that the partnership between Guyana and Suriname and this all-important border crossing can be smooth, and safe, and cost efficient.”
In February 2021, the Guyana-Suriname ferry service had recommenced operating for residents travelling between the two neighbouring countries, following months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
That changed in April of this year when the Public Works Ministry, in conjunction with the management of the Canawaima Ferry Service, had announced a suspension of all leisure travel to Suriname until further notice. The Ministry had stated at the time that only repatriation trips and health emergency evacuations would be allowed during the lockdown.
The Canawaima Ferry Service Inc 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. Under the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government, some $488 million was spent to rehabilitate the MV Kimbia which serviced communities along the Berbice River and the North West District.
Additionally, major upgrades were done at the Guyana-Suriname Ferry Service… upgrades that 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 by Kascon Engineering Services of Region Six. (G3)