Dear Editor,
On April 20, passengers and businesses were once again reminded how fragile the Canawaima ferry system really is.
A strike on the Surinamese side caused delays, and the ferry reportedly departed around 1 PM.
For many, that meant missed plans, disrupted transport, and unnecessary losses.
This was not an isolated inconvenience. It was a clear example of a system that is no longer reliable.
The ferry between Guyana and Suriname is the only functioning vehicle crossing between the two countries. That alone should demand:
- consistency
- predictability
- and strong management
Instead, what exists is a system where one disruption on one side can bring the entire operation to a halt. For a connection this critical, that is unacceptable.
Guyana is growing rapidly. Investment is increasing. Trade is expanding. But the physical link to Suriname continues to operate below even basic expectations. Passengers cannot reliably plan their crossing. Transport operators cannot depend on fixed schedules. And businesses are forced to absorb the cost of uncertainty. This is not how a modern economic corridor functions.
Canawaima is a joint operation. In theory, that should mean cooperation. In practice, it has meant slow decision making, unclear accountability, and delayed implementation of basic improvements. Guyana has already demonstrated that better systems are possible. With platforms like FerryPass, digital booking and structured operations are already a reality.
Yet this efficiency has not translated into the Canawaima service. That is not a technical limitation. It is a governance failure.
At some point, cooperation must produce results. If it does not, the structure must change. Guyana cannot continue to operate at a lower standard simply because the system is jointly managed. There are clear steps forward:
Establish stronger operational control
A joint venture should not mean operational paralysis. Responsibility must be clearly defined.
Implement proven Guyanese systems
Digital booking, scheduling, and transparency can be introduced immediately using existing models.
Move toward performance-based management
Whether through restructuring, outsourcing, or a public private partnership, outcomes must replace discussions.
Set firm timelines
Modernization cannot remain indefinite. Deadlines must be enforced.A system this important cannot continue to depend on circumstance, improvisation, or the absence of disruption.
The real question: How long will Guyana continue to accept a critical national link operating below standard? Is Guyana willing to match its infrastructure to its ambitions or continue allowing its progress to be slowed by a system it does not fully control?
Yours truly
K. Pinas
