Latest update April 7th, 2025 6:08 AM
Bribery process operates in the ferry system
Dear Editor;
Please allow me space to respond to Mr. Godfrey Whyte’s letter dated May 04, 2016, captioned, “This person’s story may not be based on facts,” written by the president of the transport union. His letter was in response to my missive titled, “Waiting in vain to travel on the Essequibo River.” Forgive my late reply but I was only made aware of his response a few days ago.
Mr. Whyte since you took time to meticulously find flaws in my letter let me now pin point some flaws in your system. I’ll respond to my ‘so-called’ inaccuracies that you highlighted based on assumptions and technicalities.
Firstly, on Good Friday (March 25) I was indeed the sixth person in line. Two of the five vehicles that were in front of me were allowed on the boat as they ‘spoke’ to the gate keeper; the others were left just as I was. These two were allowed on along with a number of others who arrived after me but also ‘spoke’ to some officials there. Secondly, it would appear that you don’t even know your own system. If you did you would be fully aware that there are usually trucks there that are given first preference because of the goods that they are loaded with. I did not find it necessary to mention that the trucks were loaded before they began sorting the buses, SUVs, cars etc. That would provide for the fact that 15 to 20 ‘small’ vehicles passed by me. So, to quote your words, the ferry did not leave ‘half empty’. Thirdly, I too, Mr. Whyte, would think it is logically impossible for a vehicle who is sixth in line to be left behind but, yet, it happened.
Mr. Whyte, you bash me for my identity? You need to explain to me how my identity will pay any role is getting this issue resolved. All I can see is you defending a flawed system and not offering any solution to the issue at hand. I am not going to submit to you and deliver my identity only to be victimized for speaking the truth. You say you need proof? Worry not Mr. Whyte, the next time I use this service I will be sure to make a video of the blatant bribery so that you and others who claim I am not speaking the truth will have your share of proof. It seems I will have to do this before there is any correctional measure.
I wrote another letter to the newspaper where I tweaked the story to suit another experience of mine that occurred just Thursday 30 June 2016 where I was, yet again, forced to wait 15 hours at the crossing before I could get on the ferry. This goes to show that nothing has been done since my first letter to have this situation rectified.
The way you are defending this system one might think this is the first complaint you have received but it’s not is it Mr. Whyte? Let me take you back a little to articles dated September 28, 2015 in the other media and September 16, 2014 in Kaieteur News where these same issues were highlighted. I know of persons who have admitted that they have paid bribes at this crossing to get unto the boat.
Your system is deeply flawed and instead of being so interested in my identity lets works on addressing the matter at hand. My identity provides no form of help. Your letter amused me I must say; to see you calling me out on such technicalities rather than offering any assurance that you will have the matter addressed.
Concerned Citizen.
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