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Essequibo ferry enjoys $400M subsidy
…new Indian vessel to get Govt. support if necessary – Patterson
Public Transportation is subsidized the world over. The coalition A Partnership for National Unity plus Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government is committed to ensuring that the local sector is maintained even if it means providing continued subsidies, such as the almost $400M price tag to assist on operating ferries across the Essequibo River.
The two Chinese ferries gifted to Guyana, namely the MV Sabanto and the MV Kanawan currently ply the Parika/Supenaam route but the income generated is insufficient to cover the operating cost, particularly their fuel for the daily trips.
As such the Transport and Harbours Department of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure is tasked with applying a large portion of its budgetary allocations to ensure the continued service provided by these two vessels.
Subject Minister David Patterson, this past week, told Kaieteur News, that while he did not have the exact figure at hand, the department is supplied with an annual budget of about $400M, the majority of which is used for the two ferries. This works out to just about $30M monthly.
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson
In Guyana’s east, the recently introduced water taxi service across the Berbice River is being subsidized.
According to Minister Patterson, this measure of support will continue to be subsidized by Government for as long as is needed. The Berbice water taxi service was introduced last Monday and has all already been deemed successful by many. Plying as much as 16 trips per day across the Berbice River, students, nurses and pensioners all travel for free while others opting to use the service would pay a nominal toll.
Government recently also announced that it would be looking to lease or purchase a new vessel from India, to be used on the North West route. Patterson was asked to weigh in on whether this service too will have to be subsidized. According to Minister Patterson, while a decision had not been finalized on whether such a vessel would be leased or purchased what is clear is that if a subsidy is required it will be provided.
According to Patterson, just as how health, education and other social services are subsidized by governments across the world, ensuring an effective public transportation system is also a role of Government and as such subsidies are provided.
The vessels plying the North West District route are currently scheduled for docking and repairs at a cost of some $69M.
The Transport and Harbours Department has at least 10 vessels, with two acquired from China in recent years.
Some of the ferries, like Lady Northcote, are more than 60 years old. That vessel caught afire a few years ago while en route to the North West.
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