Remedial works to the bungled ferry stelling at Good Hope on the Essequibo Coast are expected to commence as early as this month, Works Minister Robeson Benn has said.
Speaking at his annual end-of-year press conference yesterday, Benn stated that work to correct the inoperable structure is expected to begin in the next few weeks, noting that repairs and maintenance of the structure fall under the ministry’s responsibilities.
Benn stated that the Works Ministry had “waited too long” for work to be undertaken to fix the stelling, though according to him, the responsibility for failure of the $400 million-plus infrastructure is “still being looked at”. He said immediate repairs, which will go towards technical works, will cost around $41 million, adding that the executing agency would be the Works Ministry, with the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) as well as the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation overlooking the work. Benn noted that the roll-on, roll-off features which the stelling in question will be affixed with in order to accommodate the two vessels being built by the Chinese may be easier to implement at the latter berth. However, he noted that additional works will have to be undertaken at Parika for the stelling to be able to accommodate the two vessels. A feasibility study is being considered in this regard.
Benn said the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) had undertaken significant work in the area close to the Parika stelling during 2010, including removing a ship which had sunk close to the wharf there.
Meanwhile, Acting Director of MARAD Claudette Rogers said that during 2010 an area of approximately 230,000 cubic metres was dredged, but the dredge Steve N developed mechanical issues later in the year. As regards the lighthouse, she said that 95% of work being effected to the structure had been completed.
The entity recorded 5 accidents as well as 22 incidents during the year; the figure included the fatal Pritipaul Singh Investments (PSI) trawler accident and at yesterday’s press briefing Minister Benn expressed astonishment at the position of the Guyana Association of Trawler Owners and Seafood Processors (GATOSP) on the issue.
He said the investigation which was convened by him was done by a committee which was competent in handling the matter.
He said he would be willing to meet the seafood body to listen to its position on the issue.
During a meeting with Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud last week, GATOSP said it was concerned over several components of the recently released report. Persaud said there are no indications within the laws and regulations of this country that would suggest PSI breached the law following the June 19 fire on board its trawler Captain Lloyd 97.
Meantime, acting General Manager of the T&HD Kevin Trim stated yesterday that during the year, work valued at $75 million was undertaken at the Leguan and Kumaka stellings while funds which were allocated for the Bartica stelling were placed towards the Leguan stelling as work there was urgent.
He said that geo-technical works were conducted for the area close to the Kumaka wharf in the North West district. Stabroek News had reported on the area close to the stelling at Kumaka which has been rapidly eroding over the past few years.
For 2011, several projects are slated for completion including the docking of the Motor Barge Baramani as well as sourcing of spares and supply of same for repairs to be undertaken to the dredge Steve N. In addition, the MV Kimbia as well as the MV Torani are expected to be docked during 2011 while works will be affected to the MV Barima. The MV Kimbia was docked some two years ago at cost of approximately $80 million.
Trim said that between January to December of 2010, the T&HD raked in some $697 million.
He said that a total of 232,000 passengers utilized the services of the entity, and this figure was matched against some $6.8 million in revenue gains. At the same time 30,000 vehicles used the entity’s service at a cost of $123 million while the body collected a sum of $227 million in revenue from 99,000 tonnes of cargo which utilised its facilities.
