By Fareeza Haniff
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Cabinet has given its no objection to over $69M for emergency docking and repairs of the vessel, Lady Northcote, which plies the Georgetown to Mabaruma route in Region One.
The contract has been awarded to EC Vieira Investment Limited, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon told a post cabinet media briefing on Friday, September 18.
According to Harmon, this mode of transportation is the “lifeline” for residents in that region and as such, President David Granger expressed his concern about the safety of the vessel and how it affects the lives and livelihood of residents.
iNews understands that Cabinet was also briefed about the present transport fleet at the Transport and Harbours Department and expressed serious concerns about the level of maintenance of these vessels.
As such, Cabinet mandated Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson to immediately inquire into the leasing of a vessel from overseas for use in the route from Georgetown to Mabaruma.
Additionally, Guyana is already engaging the Government of India to construct two vessels specifically for this route.
“The leasing of a vessel that is more reliable in the medium term and in the long term, over a two year period that the government was going to enter into a firm agreement with the Government of India for the building and delivery of two new vessels, specifically for that route so that the people of Region One can have a more assured way for moving their products and produce to Georgetown and from Georgetown to Region One,” Harmon explained.
The Minister of State further noted that over the years, the residents of Region One have received a rather unpredictable transportation service and this government intends to change that.
“We want to satisfy the people of Region One that we’re going to put in place a very firm type of arrangement…over the past couple of years, the service to that region has been most erratic. Sometimes you don’t get a boat for a month, two months; people bring their produce to the wharf and then it’s spoilt and they can’t get it out,” Harmon told reporters.
He made it clear that the government will not rely on “these vessels which have been there for a very long time.”
Side Kick you shouldn’t even dignify that racist jackass with a response just let him stew in his racist fat..lol
You are an out and out racist.
Way to go Indian. Lets the racists say nay now. I often wonder why they dont bring in their own to conduct big business in Guyana. Not like the Nigerian found with dope. Not that kind of business . What say you Pag-A-Lee ?