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Wakenaam businessmen, motorists hit by ferry decision

Dec 19, 2010 News

Wakenaam businessmen met Friday evening at the Wakenaam Neighbourhood Democratic Council Office to plan a course of action to have Minister of Works, Robeson Benn, rescind a decision that came into effect on Friday.
Drivers were informed by the Superintendent of Stellings at Parika, that vehicles that travel to Parika will no longer be ‘rebooked” for the return trip to Wakenaam Island.  This system of Wakenaam vehicles being rebooked has been in place for years.
The Superintendent of Stellings claims this decision was made by the Minister following a meeting with “three truck drivers” from the Essequibo Coast.
The Clerk-in-Charge of Wakenaam ferry stelling informed drivers and businessmen that he had received instructions from the Superintendent of Stellings that only the vehicles parked at the stelling must be booked. This decision will stagnate business on the island and make life harder for residents and visitors. It will also seriously affect agriculture.
The businessmen and motorists want the system to remain as it was prior to the Minister’s instructions.
The businessmen said that the Essequibo Coast has three boats serving them.  The MV Malali, which can transport 28 vehicles, and the MV Torani and the MV Makouria which can transport 30 vehicles, each.  The MV Malali is the only boat of the three that stops at Wakenaam en route to and from Parika.
On its way to Parika, the ferry brings businessmen and produce from the Essequibo Coast, it then collects businessmen and produce from the Island for Parika and Georgetown.
These vehicles normally return with goods for Wakenaam, some of which are perishables and the space they make allows the businessmen who were plying their trade on the island to return to the Essequibo Coast.
The Wakenaam businessmen were informed that this will not be the case any longer.  It means that the Wakenaam businessmen may be stalled at Parika. A chaotic situation will eventually follow.
Wakenaam businessmen are questioning why they were not allowed to be a part of the discussion and to have a say when they were the ones to be affected.
The businessmen are asking their colleagues at Parika, Georgetown and the Essequibo Coast for their support.
This “VERBAL’ decision by the Minister will affect tourists to the island, and have an adverse effect to the agriculture industry on the island. At the meeting, Mr. Mustakeen was elected as the Spokesperson for the businessmen of Wakenaam.
Regional Councilor, Mr. Roopchand promised the businessmen that he will be making efforts to contact the Minister on the issue.
The businessmen are sending a letter to the Minister asking him to rescind his instruction.
Copies of the letter will be sent to the Minister of Trade, the Minister of Tourism and the Minister of Agriculture.

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