Latest update February 6th, 2025 7:27 AM
Restore Berbice River ferry – AFC
The Alliance for Change (AFC) yesterday disclosed that it regards the government’s almost 20- year-old decision to remove the Berbice River ferry as outrageous and irresponsible.
Trevor Williams sees it as the sole cause for the rise in cost of living, increased unemployment, frustration among young people and forced migration from the Berbice River area.
The Launch that was used up to last Tuesday
According to Williams, the AFC’s Member of Parliament representing Region 10, himself and other party executives conducted a two-day outreach and interacted with residents of that Region.
He said that a distance of over sixty miles was covered as the team travelled through Kwakwani, Aroraima, and the Wiki Calcuni reservation.
Williams explained that the residents of Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice can no longer be involved in agricultural development, forestry, nor operate their businesses in a sustainable manner.
During the party’s weekly press conference yesterday, Williams said that residents along the river, from New Amsterdam to Kwakwani – stretching approximately 180 miles – were able at one time to produce, transport and trade large shipments of agricultural, forestry and dairy products , interact with hucksters , as well as transport their families to and from New Amsterdam.
He said that the critical service has resulted in private launches providing expensive, inconvenient service, which is alleged to have poor maritime supervision.
According to Williams, a person travelling on a launch from Ituni to New Amsterdam must endure a 20-hour journey with no washroom facilities, neither sleeping nor resting area, and is forced to make the most among cargo, which is mostly wood.
He said that residents have complained about the very high cost of transporting goods “for example, one drink case or small carton is priced at $300, a passenger one-way fare is $3000, $5000 for a drum of fuel and all packages must be paid for”.
“This phenomenon has resulted in massive migration in search of an easier life, as many packed up and left their homes and fertile farmlands vowing to return only if this (ferry) service is restored.
AFC MP Trevor Williams
Thriving economic activities can return to this very important part of Guyana should the Government of Guyana demonstrate its commitment to the people of Guyana and Region 10 by ensuring in 2013 the Berbice River Ferry service is restored. The Alliance for Change calls on the PPP administration to act now and bring the sufferings of our Guyanese brothers and sisters to an end.”
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