Guyana's Government Comments on Suspension of Ferry Service With Suriname
GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Guyana's government on Tuesday said it is aware of the concerns of members of the public regarding the suspension of the ferry service between Guyana and Suriname.
“The government wishes to assure the public that since the beginning of this suspension, officials have been in constant and daily contact with their Surinamese counterparts to resolve the issue and have the service resume operations,” the government said in a statement.
Last week, Suriname’s Minister of Transport, Communications and Tourism, Raymond Landveld, ordered a full review into the cross-border ferry connection between Suriname and Guyana less than a week after the two countries agreed to resume the ferry service.
Landveld told the National Assembly that the review will involve an in-depth investigation into all monetary and administrative transactions of the past five years as legislators criticised the current management and internal oversight.
Landveld said that the difficulties extend far beyond the occasional disruption of shipping and that the entire business model, ranging from daily management and safety supervision to procurement processes and the workforce, will be reassessed.
The current structure is split into two separate entities, with the company governed by Guyanese law acting as the asset holder and the Surinamese branch managing daily operations.
Earlier this month, the sailing ban for the MV Canawaima was lifted after Canawaima Ferry Service (CFS) Inc. and Canawaima Management Company (CMC) NV reported that the ferry had been re-inspected and is cleared to sail again.
In its statement, Tuesday, the Georgetown said that as stated previously, “the responsibility for maintenance and drydocking of the M.V Canawaima falls under Suriname”.
It said in recent days two technical inspections were carried out by maritime experts from both Guyana and Suriname on the M.V. CANAWAIMA.
“Both countries’ experts concluded that the vessel can remain in operation until it goes into drydock within the next three months. Despite these assurances which were provided in writing the Maritime Authority in Suriname (MAS) insisted that certain matters which would have been addressed during drydocking, should be undertaken immediately.”
The Guyana government said that it supports safe travel of the public and maintains that public safety is priority.
“At the same time, the inconvenience this situation is causing to users of the service is fully understood. Thus far, the proposal of an alternative vessel to operate the route was turned down by MAS. Despite this, the Government is seeking to propose another alternative vessel to the Surinamese authorities, even as engagements continue simultaneously with MAS to ensure the current service can resume even on a short-term basis.”
The Irfaan Ali government said that in addition to these measures, immigration service is still provided to persons travelling to Suriname by small boats.
“Such persons are required to report to the immigration office at the Moleson Creek Terminal for immigration processing upon departure. Upon arrival in Suriname, they are required to report to the Immigration Office in New Nickerie. When departing Suriname, persons must report to the respective immigration offices.
“The Government wishes to assure the public that everything possible is being done to resume the service as soon as possible. We thank everyone for their patience and understanding and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience,” the statement added.
