Bartica needs two ferries

Dear Editor,

Bartica is one of the fastest developing communities and tourism is picking up rapidly. It is one square mile in extent with narrow roads, and has the most vehicles, from cars to 4×4 trucks and ARVs.

Every day there is an auto accident. In addition, parking space in First and Second Avenues is a major problem, with roadside stalls illegally dominating parking space.

The business people of Region 7 are complaining about the steamer service from the Parika end whenever they take their vehicles to Georgetown, because the return journey is a major problem.

At Parika stelling they are told they have to book and that booking is for one or two weeks later. What can they do with their vehicles filled with stocks? They have to discharge these and hire a speedboat to Bartica and leave their vehicles at Parika until the booking date. This is not fair to the business community.

If you have to hire a speedboat special for $60,000 to Bartica, how much mark-up do you have to put on the goods you are going to retail?

Residents with vehicles say on many occasions at Parika out of the blue a vehicle appears and gets on to the ferry, and they are left behind. There are two new vessels operating to and from Supenaam, Essequibo, so can’t we at least get two vessels for Bartica on Saturdays? At least give it a try. But inform the public in advance.

Yours faithfully,
B Miller Sr