Let commuters have their peace while travelling on the NA ferry

Aug 02, 2008 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
It was 9 o’ clock in the night, Sunday, July 27. I was very tired from an all-day tour to an Amerindian reservation in Region Three, boarded the steamer at Rosignol for New Amsterdam, had an intense headache, then I heard this, “Good evening brothers and sisters!”.

If anything at all, I had thought that my letter of June 1, 2008 in the daily newspapers had put a stopping to the religious preachers on the ferry steamers plying the Rosignol-New Amsterdam route. But this was not so.

As I found out on July 27, nearly two months since I first exposed this matter, the preaching continues, and much to passengers’ discomforts.

As was the case before, July 27, 2008 proved to be no different. No one was lending an ear to the preacher. My headache got worse.

The journey across the Berbice River seemed to be never-ending that night. This preacher rambled on and on and on very loudly as if he were preaching to persons who were miles away.

On Monday, July 28, at around 2:55pm I telephoned the Transport and Harbours Department in New Amsterdam for a comment on this issue.

I was directed to a female who wished not to give me her name. After letting her become aware of the purpose of my phone call, she refused in no uncertain terms to comment on the preachers on the steamers.

I didn’t try the Rosignol Stelling as I figured I may have gotten a similar reaction. Now here is an example of where I thought I was giving a public official a chance to explain him or herself about a matter of concern to the general public — an occurrence that has been happening for years upon years much to the embarrassment to Guyana. I will explain why.

The letter section on the SN website had several persons responding with comments to my letter of June 11, 2008. As I said, my letter then dealt with the preachers on the ferries and in front the Passport Office in Georgetown.

I post them here without the permission of SN: user “opgy” said, “come on, you know damn well that would not be allowed in Canada! Free speech yes, but not on a ferry and in front of the passport office.

Go down to your local Canadian Passport office and start preaching outside – see how long it takes the police to get there and remove you!!

User ‘corentyne’ said, “beg to differ. Leon does not have an elitist attitude! Far from it! Perhaps this person did not use the ferry four times a week.

I did while traveling back and forth to the University of Guyana. This preaching is so annoying at times that I had to get up and leave – it’s loud and it’s the same thing you hear all the time about the woman who committed suicide.

I’m not saying preaching is bad, but not in the ferry especially when people need that time to clear their heads or study for an exam. Thanks Leon for saying what many were thinking.”

User ‘rdman’ said, “You are completely right Leon, this nonsense must stop. Lately myself, son and his girlfriend were visiting Guyana and I took them for a trip to Berbice.

I was totally ashamed and embarrassed by the panhandlers, beggars, drunkards and preachers; they are like flies, they bug you all the time.

One guy kept bugging my son and his girlfriend so many times, I had to step in.

He then started to curse me out and walked away. I told him the next time I see him I would deal with him accordingly.

Another thing is those little kids of school age who keep pestering you to buy things, and I can’t wait for the bridge to finish so I can escape from these pests. That’s how we want tourists to visit Guyana.”

User ‘mackydog’ said, “The stelling is a disgrace indeed with all these beggars and yes, they come in your face with outstretched hands like it’s pay day.

And the worst is God forbid you talking to a female, they come so brazenly with the intention of putting you on a guilt trip, like they think you can’t say no in the lady’s presence. I say get them off the stelling.”

Finally, ‘vatvic’ from Guyana, on June 11, stated “I used the ferry today (twice); no beggars, no stinky toilet, heard no preaching, No garbage on deck. Hmmmm. I wonder why?”

There were other comments, but space here would not allot me. Aren’t commuters entitled to a moment’s peace while traveling on the ferry, Mr Editor? The eyes of the world will be on our nation during CARIFESTA.

The foreigners who will be utilising the steamer service are in for a real treat. But here in Guyana, anyone can do almost anything and get away with it.
Leon Jameson Suseran