The river taxi service should remain, regardless of the outcome of discussions

Sep 26, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
Kindly permit me space in your letters column to highlight my personal opinions on the following:
Reference is made to the ongoing matter between the Berbice River Bridge Company Incorporated and the Government of Guyana, and also the concerns of the members of the Route 56 Minibus Service relative to the recently introduced Water Taxi Service between New Amsterdam and Rosignol.
My advice to the Government is, regardless of the outcome of the talks, the River Taxi Service should remain permanently. I would advise that a limited number of these boats be allowed to operate this crossing in keeping with the number of commuters.
This service must of necessity be regularly and carefully monitored by officials of Maritime Administration Department for safety and order. At the same time, Government must consider the rehabilitation of New Amsterdam and Rosignol ferry stellings and ensure this is undertaken as funds become available. The dredging of these stellings must also be undertaken if necessary, all with the view of bringing back proper ferry vessels on this crossing to transport both vehicles and passengers in the not too distant future.
Never again should these facilities, which are of vital importance to facilitate public transportation, be allowed to deteriorate to the stage of Georgetown and Vreed-en-Hoop ferry stellings and the siltation thereof. Guyana must not repeat the mistake of closing one means of transportation when another is opened, eg the railways vis-a-vis roads or the Demerara ferry service vis-à-vis the Demerara Harbour Bridge.
Imagine for one moment the predicament this nation would find itself in should the Demerara Harbour Bridge be seriously damaged and out of commission for an extended period of time. As I am on the subject of transportation, opportunity is taken to mention that our Demerara River is seriously underutilised.
We have one road from Linden to Georgetown on which all categories and sizes of vehicles jostle each other for limited space on this narrow roadway to transport passengers and all types of commodities which could easily be transported in greater quantities at less cost by river. Guyana seems to have been stuck in a time warp for quite a long time from which it seems incapable of extricating itself.
We must begin to think like those in progressive countries where every mode of transportation is available to their citizens. Our citizens must have a choice. I am told this is a free country. Competition is necessary to bring about efficiency and development. Even little Trinidad introduced transportation by water from South for workers commuting to Port of Spain to ease the heavy traffic on the Highway during peak periods. Guyanese must start thinking progressively; we are in the twenty- first century.
Capt.R.W.Adams.

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