Consumer Concerns

Eileen Cox

As children, our parents instilled in us certain sayings that were meant to guide us through life.

‘A stitch in time saves nine.’

‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’

Many parents in the immediate past and today seem to leave their children to make their way through life without guidance. Thus we have acid thrown on neighbours. Would the guilty person mind if there was retaliation?

Minister Benn inspecting the MV Kimbia last year. (GINA photo)

In the case of the MV Kimbia the Sunday Stabroek of August 8 reported that many Guyanese are concerned at the condition under which it operates. The MV Kimbia was up to press time Saturday night limping along the coast after suffering engine failure on Thursday night, leaving many relatives of those on board worried.

One relative reported, “They said they don’t have anything to eat. All their food done. Everything in the canteen sell out. The water finish.” The woman told Stabroek News, her mother, sisters, brother, aunt and the aunt’s three children were on board the vessel.

She said that she managed to contact her mother between 4 pm and 4.30 pm and her mother related what had happened. The worried woman said that one of the boat’s engines had broken down and the vessel was operating on one engine.

Residents in the North West District are asking for the MV Kimbia to be replaced. Persons travel by the steamer because there is no other choice. They cannot afford the high cost of air travel: $32,000 return from the North West to Georgetown.

On Monday August 31, Stabroek News carried a report from the Transport and Harbours Department, which stated that the MV Kimbia departed Port Georgetown (August 28) with the full use of all its engines.

According to a release from the department the MV Kimbia was on its second voyage to the North West District, since it experienced a delayed arrival from Kumaka on August 7, and it also said that the delay in departure on Friday resulted from a breakdown of loading equipment.

The department noted that the life-saving capacity of the MV Kimbia was 370 persons by use of lifeboats, inflatable rafts and Jim-buoys, exclusive of life vests and life rafts,

The department went on to state that the shared accommodation for passengers utilizing seats and hammocks is 350 persons, noting that the ferry departed with 365 passengers on board –15 above what it said the shared accommodation capacity was.

On board the vessel, close to the washroom area some families spread pieces of foam on the floor. To sleep with the strong stench emanating from the washroom would not be healthy.

On one occasion I travelled on the MV Malali to Adventure. I took a seat on the deck hoping to have fresh air. I soon realized that I was inhaling the stench from the toilet and I immediately removed to a seat in the inner area.

On the Kimbia four toilets and four bathrooms are provided for men and women separately, but it is not clear whether they have attendants with bleach to keep the toilets clean.

In the Guyana Chronicle September 2, it was reported that a new vessel will replace the MV Kimbia.  Thousands of us will be happy to have this news.