Following calls made by passengers and other concerned persons for the North West ferry, MV Kimbia to be replaced, the Ministry of Public Works and Communications on Wednesday announced that with assistance from the Chinese Government, it is working to acquire two news vessels.

One of them will replace the  MV Kimbia.

According to a release from the Government Information Agency (GINA), the Public Works Ministry is awaiting the specification, funding and design for a vessel to serve the North West District. In the meantime, the MV Kimbia and MV Barima will continue to serve the Region One area until the new vessel is acquired.

According to the release, Transport Minister Robeson Benn stated that the management of the T&HD has worked hard to significantly enhance the operations and assets of the Public Works Ministry.

GINA stated that in light of the numerous complaints of the unhealthy conditions of toilets on public transport vessels, the Management of the T&HD was advised by the Public Works Ministry to have all toilets on all of its vessels upgraded.

Stabroek News has been reporting on the conditions experienced by passengers who utilize the services of the MV Kimbia; some persons called for the vessel to be replaced, stating that it has outlived its usefulness. A regional official in the Mabaruma Sub-Region told this newspaper yesterday that there had been complaints by passengers from the North West about conditions they were forced to endure during voyages to and from the Capital City. He said the Public Works Ministry has been working to find a solution to improve the ferry service and according to the official, news of the acquisition of a new vessel will be greatly welcomed by North West residents.

The GINA release cited an editorial in the Stabroek News which said that the present state of the Kimbia poses a danger to life and limb.

Benn said in response “I want to condemn the type of reporting which is done. The carrion crow journalism which seems to want to talk and to create fear and upset all of the time that there is an expectancy that bad things will happen and that we are allowing these things to happen and deliberately so. I want to reject that thesis.”