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Two Chinese ferries officially handed over to Guyana
– But stelling modifications still incomplete
The roll-on roll-off ferries that arrived in Guyana recently were officially transferred
One of the two Chinese-built ferries
to the Guyana Government on Friday by Chinese Ambassador Yu Wenzhe in the presence of representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The certificates of delivery and transferal for the Sabanto and Kanawan which arrived in the country less than a month ago were presented to Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn.
The Ambassador said that he was happy to hand over the vessels on behalf of the Government and the people of China, to the Government and people of Guyana.
“These two vessels which will be used across the Essequibo River, will greatly facilitate the movement of people and commodities…This in turn will greatly facilitate an improved livelihood of the people and the production of agriculture and other goods on both sides of the river,” Ambassador Yu Wenzhe said.
The Ambassador also said that this year marks 40 years of cooperation and friendship between the two countries.
“We hope to take this opportunity this year to have a series of activities to celebrate the 40th anniversary and deepen the friendship and close cooperation…this friendship and cooperation has and will bring many tangible results and concrete benefits to the people of the two countries…the two ferries are yet another example which result of these co-operations which will benefit the ordinary people, workers, farmers and the people on both sides, China and Guyana,” the Chinese Ambassador said.
Minister Benn said that work on this project could not have been advanced without the efforts of the Transport and Harbour Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Maritime Administration Department, which coordinated with the representatives of the People’s Republic of China to work out the various issues.
The boats which are similar to the Makouria class vessels and of the Canawaima size have been described as a New Year’s gift by the local Chinese Embassy.
With the certificates for the vessels now being handed over to the Ministry, phase one of the Ministry’s plan to ‘retire’ the Makouria class vessels, which have been in operation for nearly 50 years would have gained momentum, as it cleared the way for its staff to be trained in the operations of the vessel, thereby making them ready to set sail by mid February, 2012.
The vessels are intended to provide services at the crossing between Parika, Region Three and Adventure, Region Two and as such the modification of the stellings at Parika and Supenaam to accommodate the vessels has already commenced.
Contractor BK International is modifying the stellings at the following costs; $240.1M for Parika and $138M for Supenaam.
However, the modifications have been delayed. The Parika stelling works are expected to be completed by month end.
The modern vessels include a VIP Lounge, and the necessary amenities to make passengers onboard the vessels more comfortable. Each vessel has the capacity to seat 800 passengers and ferry 20 lorries or 44 cars.
The Governments of Guyana and China entered into an agreement to provide Guyana with two roll-on/roll-off ferries valued US$14.4M, which would allow for easier and faster loading and off-loading since they connect directly to the stellings built to accommodate them.
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