-Phillips says ferry to begin service ‘very shortly’
Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed yesterday accused the Government of failing Region One residents by keeping the newly acquired MV Kalliopi docked in Georgetown instead of deploying it to restore ferry services following the deadly MV Barima tragedy.
On the Team Mohamed’s Facebook page, Mohamed charged that the $836 million vessel was being used for government functions while residents of the North West District remained without the ferry service it was purchased to provide.
“Up to Saturday morning, the $836 million MV Kalliopi is docked for the elites and PPP officials to party on the majestic Demerara River and Atlantic Ocean overlooking the Marriott, neglecting the Region 1 people, the sole purpose it was bought for with taxpayers money,” Mohamed said.
The criticism comes less than a week after the MV Barima capsized off Guyana’s coast, leaving scores dead and disrupting the main ferry link between Georgetown and Port Kaituma.
The Kalliopi, a Greek-built vessel acquired by the Government arrived in Georgetown in May and has since become the focus of political scrutiny over why it was not already in service on the Region One route.
Addressing the issue during his latest update on the Barima tragedy, Prime Minister Mark Phillips said the ferry would begin operating on the Georgetown-Region One route “very shortly.” He explained that the vessel must first undergo the necessary regulatory inspections and certification before it can enter commercial service.
Phillips said that once those requirements are completed, the Kalliopi will replace the MV Barima, adding that the Government is expediting the commissioning process in light of the tragedy and the need to restore transportation services to Region One.
The Government had previously announced that the ferry would be assigned to the North West route. During an inspection of the vessel in May, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said the acquisition of the Kalliopi would increase the Transport and Harbours Department’s Region One fleet to four vessels, joining the MV MA Lisha, MV Kimbia and MV Kanawan.
“The people of Region One now have four boats to improve their service and to improve efficiency,” Edghill had said.
It was also announced in May that the vessel would participate in Guyana’s 60th Independence celebrations as part of the “Diamond Odyssey Cruise” before commencing regular operations.
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