Min Ramraj calls out T&HD over lack of consultation on ferry truck weight limits

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Madanlall Ramraj, has criticised the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) for implementing new weight restrictions at the Parika and Supenaam stations without first engaging truck drivers.
On Friday, Ramraj met with truck drivers and transport operators in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) to discuss concerns over the recent reduction in the maximum allowable weight for trucks using the ferry service between the Supenaam and Parika ports.
The revised weight limits were introduced due to structural issues at both facilities. At the Supenaam Stelling, the drawbridge has sustained damage, while construction works at the Parika Stelling have resulted in piles being driven for the new facility and several beams shifted from the concrete-encased piles.
The allowable weight was reduced to 15 tonnes two Thursdays ago, as the Ministry continues to work through these issues and determine the safest way forward.

This comes even as the Government continues to improve and modernise the safety and security measures associated with the ferry service, ensuring that persons can continue to safely ply their trade.
During the engagement, Ramraj strongly reprimanded the action of the T&HD for failing to consult truck drivers and owners before implementing the decision to reduce the allowable weight to 15 tonnes.
He described the manner in which the implementation was handled as “totally unacceptable”.
The Minister reminded the residents of the Government’s commitment to full transparency, adding that persons whose businesses and daily operations depend on the ferry service must be informed in a timely manner of any decision that would affect them.
He stressed that implementing decisions of this nature cannot be made without proper consultation with the people who will be directly impacted.
The drawbridge at the Supenaam Stelling has since been replaced, and the T&HD is currently working on a solution to address the issue at the Parika Stelling. The aim is to have the necessary works completed so that the normal allowable tonnage can be restored at both ports as soon as it is safe to do so.
Minister Ramraj also spoke with the truck drivers and owners on possible measures to help mitigate the impact of the reduction. He noted that the Ministry is currently working with its engineers and consultants to develop a suitable solution and determine the fastest, most sustainable, and safest way forward.
Last month, the T&HD announced that only vehicles with a maximum gross weight of 20 tonnes would be allowed on the Parika/Supenaam service. This was later revised to 18 tonnes.