Local flights increase to Suriname – Trans Guyana

Trans Guyana Airways has seen an increase in the number of flights heading to Suriname after the ferry service which usually plies this route has been temporarily suspended.
The company’s Director of Operations, Bale King, told a media conference on Friday that while an increase has been noticed, the demand for trips to the neighbouring country has not sky-rocketed to the point where it triggered additional flights.
He was keen to note that many persons have been using the “back track” system into the country, since the services of the Canawaima Ferry encountered mechanical issues and was grounded.
On May 27, services of the ferry were officially suspended, preventing it from plying the Moleson Creek, Guyana – Nickerie, Suriname route.
Last week, Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson told Guyana Times that the jointly owned vessel was scheduled to undergo repairs by Surinamese, but although they promised to have it up and running in two months, the boat is still inoperable, leaving persons to use an alternative route, which some say are not safe.
He confirmed that services are yet to be resumed as no alternative is in place.
Patterson in a previous interview told this publication that the vessel was being powered by a tug for some time now which has encountered some issues.
A few days later, it was announced that the <<<MB Sandaka>>> was re-routed to provide services between Guyana and Suriname. This vessel operated from May 31 to June 2, 2019, to facilitate the return of stranded passengers on both sides.
More recently, the Government signalled its intent to operate its own ferry service to ply this route.
With travel being cut via water transport between the two countries, the need for an alternative, such as a bridge linking the two countries, has come up once again.
In fact, the subject Minister recently revealed that talks between the two countries in this regard are active.
Patterson explained that the technical aspect of the project is currently being discussed while details are yet to be sorted out with regards to the project’s “foreign affairs” aspect.
The bridge had been in the works for a number of years under the PPP/C Administration, with both countries looking to capitalise on the current brisk trade expected to increase many folds when the structure becomes operational.
The bridge, according to the Minister, will have a similar arrangement as the Guyana-Suriname Ferry in that it is jointly owned. This, he explained, would, therefore, mean that the project will pass through several stages before it can be completed.
As a result, he was unable to say when a contract will be inked to allow these works to commence. There are reports that the bridge is likely to be erected at Moleson Creek or Orealla.