Government says the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) is unable to provide a ferry for Berbice River residents but the service remains available for private investors.
According to Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn, the Transport and Harbours Department is unable to provide the service, which was terminated because of increasing costs and low returns. Benn made the observation in a response on Thursday in Parliament to a question by PNCR-1G MP Dr John Austin, who queried if government would reintroduce the ferry service to ease the “transportation woes” of Berbice river residents.
According to Benn, while the service was intended to be a catalyst for both community and economic development within the area, the response was not what was anticipated. He said that on many occasions the vessel would depart New Amsterdam/Stanleytown with a full load of passengers and cargo. However, on the return journey mostly agricultural produce, including wallaba poles and staves were transported as cargo. The service was eventually terminated in 1995 and the M.V Lukanani was sold to a private citizen, who continued to operate the service until he too encountered economic difficulties.
