A meeting between concerned parents and Public Works and Communications Minister Robeson Benn on the controversial speedboat service between Rosignol and New Amsterdam ended in disarray on Wednesday at the Rosignol Ferry Stelling.
Transport Minister Robeson Benn being confronted by parents after their meeting at the Rosignol Ferry Stelling ended in disarray on Wednesday
Prior to the sour end to the engagement, Benn, seeking to allay the fears of residents over the safety of the speedboat said he was putting his political career on line on the issue. Parents and children had protested the withdrawal of a pontoon service in favour of the speedboat last week. However, Benn had agreed to meet with the concerned West Berbice parents over the speedboat issue during a meeting at his office with a delegation last Thursday. A meeting was set for 10: 00h at the Rosignol Ferry Stelling. Benn eventually arrived at around 12: 30h.
In his opening remarks, Benn stated that he had discussed the changes in the operation with the Maritime Administration Department and Transport and Harbours Department. He noted that the speedboat put into operation has been making as many as twelve trips per day and that there would be a reduction when school closes by Friday. He referred to a media release from T&HD of which hard copies were given to the 17 parents who were at his office Thursday.
However, half- way through his address the meeting was disrupted, and after some time of exchanges between the minister and parents, he was allowed to continue. Benn explained that the change of the vessel is as a result of the urgent need for repairs to larger vessels, namely MB Baramanni , MV Torani and MT Aruka, which would be going into dry dock on a delayed basis. According to the information on the T& HD release, the MB Sandaka which was operating the New Amsterdam/ Rosignol route has to be operating on the Parika/ Supenaam route.
Benn told the parents that the speedboat could be operating for the next three months until a larger vessel is available to return to Berbice. “The arrangement is an arrangement in place until we have the return into service of couple vessels which are going into dry dock.” Benn said he is optimistic that the larger vessel would return into operation under the three- month period. He noted that when school closes there would be room to iron out the loose ends of the arrangements.
Have no fear
On the question of the safety issues, Benn declared that the 26- seater Alford C is safe and parents should not worry. “We have for this vessel two engines… one is being repaired…. it is the prototype vessel which establishes the service between Stabroek and Vreed- en-Hoop in the Demerara River, Parika and Supenaam on the Essequibo River, and Parika and Bartica. Fundamentally those engines are safe.”
The minister also declared that the speedboat is much safer than those operating the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers. “I am saying to you as the minister that it is fundamentally and basically safe. If you as a parent or individual believe that travelling on the boat does not meet your required standards of safety, don’t use the boat, that’s your choice.”
At this point the meeting erupted into loud gesturing and protest from the parents, but later simmered and allowing the minister to make another statement, which triggered another outburst. “I stake my political career and my technical knowledge on this matter with respect to the use of this boat and would refer to the fact… you can go to your lawyers to advise you on the matter. If you believe that a minister of this government would willingly put the lives of its citizens at risk … it is your personal choice … the alternatives are there … it’s a question of personal choice.”
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