The roll-on/roll-off ferries that arrived in Guyana recently were officially transferred to Guyana on Friday by Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Yu Wenzhe in the presence of representatives of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Chinese Ambassador, Yu Wenzhe hands over signed copies of the certificate of transferral of the Sabanto and Kanawan vessels to Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn
The certificates of delivery and transferral for the Sabanto and Kanawan vessels which arrived in the country less than a month ago were presented to Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn in his office at Wight’s Lane, Kingston, Georgetown.
The ambassador said he was happy to hand over the vessels on behalf of the government and the people of China, to the government and people of Guyana.
“These two vessels which will be used across the Essequibo River, will greatly facilitate the movement of people and commodities… this in turn will greatly facilitate an improved livelihood of the people and the production of agriculture and other goods on both sides of the river,” Ambassador Yu Wenzhe said.
The ambassador also said that 2012 marks 40 years of cooperation and friendship between the two countries.
“We hope to take this opportunity this year to have a series of activities to celebrate the 40th anniversary and deepen the friendship and close cooperation… this friendship and cooperation has and will bring many tangible results and concrete benefits to the people of the two countries… the two ferries will benefit the ordinary people, workers, farmers and the people on both sides, China and Guyana,” the Chinese ambassador said.
Minister Benn said that work on this project could not have been advanced without the efforts of the Transport and Harbour Department, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, and the Maritime Administration Department, which coordinated with representatives of the People’s Republic of China to work out the various issues.
“Thank you for the cooperation… we will operate the vessels to exhibit that cooperation and friendship shared with the Chinese government,” Minister Benn said.
The vessels which are similar to the Makouria class vessels and of the Canawaima size have been described as a New Year’s gift by the local Chinese embassy.
With the certificates for the vessels now being handed over to the ministry, phase one of the ministry’s plan to “retire” the Makouria class vessels, which have been in operation for more than 70 years would have gained momentum, as it cleared the way for staff to be trained in the operations of the new vessels, thereby making them ready to set sail by mid February.
The vessels are intended to provide services at the crossing between Parika, Region Three and Adventure, Region Two, and as such, the construction of roll-on/roll-off stellings at Parika and Supenaam to accommodate the vessels has already commenced.
The work which entails modifying the stellings is being undertaken by BK International.
The project at Parika costs some Gy$240.1 million, while the other at Supenaam costs Gy$138 million.
Both vessels have VIP lounges and each can accommodate 800 passengers, 20 lorries or 44 cars, a Government Information Agency (GINA) release said.
The governments of Guyana and China entered into an agreement to provide Guyana with two roll-on/ roll-off ferries valued US$14.4 million, which would allow for easier and faster loading and off-loading as they connect directly to the stellings built to accommodate them.
