India ferry for northwest is `game changer’ - Edghill
Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill yesterday lauded an India-financed and built ferry for the northwest as a `game changer’.
“The MV MA LISHA is a game changer in water transportation in Guyana”, he said at an appreciation luncheon for those persons instrumental in the completion and delivery of the vessel to Guyana.
A release from the ministry said that the event was held at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston. Among the special invitees were: Godmother of the MV MA LISHA, Joan Edghill, R. Hari, Chairman and Managing Director of Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd., and invitees from the Indian High Commission.
During the brief programme, both Ministers expressed their gratitude to President Irfaan Ali, Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, the Government of India and the Indian High Commission in Guyana, Garden Reach Shipbuilders, the Maritime Administration Department, and the Transport and Harbours Department for the efforts made to bring the project to completion.
Minister in the ministry, Deodat Indar noted that acquiring a vessel for the North-West route was a priority for the government, as it was among the projects shelved by the previous APNU+AFC Administration.
“Two projects were stalled, the road connecting the East Coast to the East Bank, and this vessel … But myself and Minister Edghill went to the Ministry upon the direction of the President and Vice-President, and we looked at both these projects to bring them into a place where we could move forward. Both projects with the Government of India, one is now completed and one [the road] is being constructed.
Edghill similarly stated that this project has been long in the making.
“Today’s celebration comes with a sense of satisfaction, pride and lots of gratitude, that something that was looking like it would never be done, is now done. It would be good for us to remember that then President Donald Ramotar during his presidency went to India and was able to secure a line of credit … … for the building of this ferry and for the construction of a road that would link the East Coast to the East Bank. We also had the opportunity to look at funding for solar panels for interior households,” the Minister stated.
When the PPP/C Administration left office in 2015, and up until its return to office in 2020, Edghill said the financing was available, but nothing was done.
“There were no hurdles. The people of region one, the people of Guyana, the 215 Amerindian communities across Guyana that needs electricity depending on solar panels, the thousands of Guyanese and visitors to Guyana looking for easier commute and easier travel time, continue to be without those services because of whatever was the policy decision and direction of that [APNU+AFC] administration.”
“We came to office in August 2020, we started to be busy with getting our budget going, it was a late budget, that budget was read in late October, and as we prepare budget to get our programme going President Ali, supported by Vice-President Jagdeo determined that this project, the road, as well as the solar panels for the people of the hinterland are projects that would be pursued with vigour, and we went after it.”
During the event, tokens, appreciation plaques and certificates were given to both sides. The $2.5 billion vessel was delivered to Guyana approximately two weeks ago.