Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Mr Joseph Harmon, yesterday met with Surinamese Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Ebu Jones, at the Ministry of the Presidency to discuss the way forward for the operation of the ferry service between Guyana and Suriname.
On May 25, 2019, the M.V Canawaima, which operates between Guyana and Suriname, had experienced difficulties and was put out of operation.
In the interim, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure deployed the M.V. Sandaka to transport persons who had been stranded. This operation was set to come to an end yesterday (June 3, 2019).
During the meeting yesterday, it was agreed that Guyana’s Minister of Public Infrastructure, Mr David Patterson, would meet with his Surinamese counterpart during the course of this week to discuss and put systems in place for a continuation of the ferry service.
The Director-General noted that these issues have engaged the attention of both Heads of State and it is now time for the discussions to take place so that an amicable solution can be found.
The MV Canawaima has been out of commission for several days now because of mechanical and other issues. In its wake, scores of passengers were left stranded with their vehicles and goods on both sides.
The ferry, under a joint operation between Guyana and Suriname, has been critical in boosting trade and tourism between the two countries with plans for a bridge across the Corentyne River on the table.
