Leguan residents peeved over sloppy ferry service

Sep 03, 2012 News

Leguan residents say that they are far from pleased with the ferry services being offered by the Transport and Harbours Department between Leguan and Parika, and they say that serious safety concerns exist at both the Parika and Leguan stellings.

A truck navigates on the wooden planks

Residents who spoke with this publication recently said that while crossing between Leguan and Parika is far cheaper with the ferry, the schedule is often irregular.
Initially the ferry left Leguan at 06:00 hours and departed Parika at 10:00 hours. However, recently, passengers are left stranded for hours at the Parika end as they await the 10:00 o’clock departure from Parika.
Recounting one incident, a resident said there are some days when they arrive at the stelling to purchase tickets only to be told that there is no boat available.
“They would tell we that we got to wait till de boat reach from Bartica; it in de river, and when it reach is another hour fuh it off load and the boat end up leaving Parika till one o’clock when it suppose to leave at ten.”
Residents are also concerned about the use of old planks by Transport and Harbours workers to allow vehicles to enter or leave the ferry.
Recently, two vehicles almost ended up in the river after one of the planks gave way and tumbled into the river. Eyewitnesses said that the vehicles were left dangling mere inches from the edge of the wharf.
“These people don’t care about the service they offer. They are just putting people’s property and lives at risk and when people vehicle get damage who will compensate these people. One time a rice truck slip off the stage and nobody paid him for the damages to his truck,” one resident added.
One worker, when asked about the use of the old wooden planks, claimed that the issue was raised during a recent meeting with an official from the Ministry of Works. He said the staff members were told “you will have to make do with what you have”.