The Ministry of Public Infrastructure says that a replacement vessel for the Guyana/Suriname Ferry Service will be available from Friday, May 31.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) Krest Cummings told the News Room that the MB Sandaka would only be available for this weekend from 31st May 2019 to 2nd June 2019.
It will depart Moleson Creek Terminal-Guyana at 09:00hrs (check-in: 06:30hrs to 08:00 hrs ) and depart South Drain-Suriname at 11:30 hrs (Check-in: 08:00 hrs-10:00 hrs) –their respective local times.
“This window was created to facilitate the return of passengers and vehicles stranded on both sides. Thereafter, the service will be suspended until further notice,” the Ministry of Public Infrastructure subsequently revealed.
The M.B. Sandaka cannot accommodate 20ft and 40ft containers and trucks with height and width in excess of 3 meters and 2.7 meters respectively.
The Guyana/Suriname Ferry Service was suspended on Monday until further notice as it is docked for repairs and maintenance.
The News Room was reliably informed that approximately 100 Guyanese are stranded in the neighbouring country.
One passenger who prefers to remain anonymous told the News Room via phone, “I calculate they get about 100 Guyanese over there.”
The passenger said he used the ‘back track’ route to return to Guyana.
“What I did, I stamped out my passport and I use the back track and then I went to Corriveton and stamp in with immigration.”
“There’s a lot of Surinamese [who] came for the Carnival that are stranded and there is a lot of Guyanese who went over for the weekend,” the passenger noted.
The passenger lamented the financial effects the suspension has caused on passengers.
“If you on vacation you will probably have one-day extra money, but if you have to spend three/four days extra, you will have financial problems,” the passenger said.
Terminal Manager Gale Culley-Greene explained that the Canawaima Ferry has been experiencing mechanical difficulties for some time and a decision was taken to have the vessel assessed and repaired.
The suspension of the ferry service was only announced on Monday. (Isanella Patoir)
