Speedboat regulations are being flouted

Apr 04, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
Since 2009, instructions were given to speed boat owners providing a passenger service at various locations throughout Guyana, to ensure their boats are equipped with sheds before they are given permission to operate. Amidst much hue and cry, the owners complied with the orders and passengers are now travelling in some sort of comfort with protection from the rain and sun. I am somewhat fortunate to be travelling a lot to various locations in Guyana and sometimes I have to use the speedboat facility at certain areas. Based on my observations I’ve penned letters listing the locations, attitudes of the operators and the service they provided.
On Thursday 22nd March on my journey to Charity we were waiting at Parika to board a boat to take us to Supenaam and whilst waiting for a boat to come to the Parika loading area two men approached us and enquired of our destination and upon informing them, they told us to wait for a few more passengers. A while later they told us to come and board the boat and then we saw a boat without any shed at the side of the step and partly under the stelling. Amidst protests and complaints everyone joined the boat and one man enquired if the boat engines were working because the last time he traveled with the boat, one of the engines broke down. The operators jokingly said that everything was okay.
Editor I enquired from the man if what he said was indeed true and he said yes and then I asked him why were the boats with sheds not working. I subsequently learnt that these boats have to wait until this boat (minus a shed) is loaded first before they can begin loading; because if they come to the stelling, passengers might choose to board the boat with sheds instead of the boat we were in. Now why would those in authorities allow boats without sheds to still operate after changing the rule some eight years after?
Is there favoritism? That is not the only location where speed boats being operated are supposed to have sheds. Are persons taking bribes to allow this lawlessness? The fare is still the same as the other boats operating with better facilities. Two monitors were there all the time and carried on as though it was business as usual.
Sahadeo Bates

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