Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has assured residents of Region One (Barima-Waini) that maritime transport services to the region remain operational despite the loss of the MV Barima, with alternative arrangements already in place to ensure the movement of passengers and cargo.
Speaking during an interview on Jump Start radio programme on Friday morning, the prime minister explained that the government has activated contingency measures to maintain connectivity between Georgetown and the North West District.
According to Prime Minister Phillips, the MV Ma Lisha, which was constructed in India and commissioned to serve the region, continues to operate on its scheduled route to Mabaruma.
“There is still a service to Port Kaituma,” the prime minister stated, noting that the vessel travels to Kumaka, where the region’s stelling is located. To bridge the gap between Kumaka and Port Kaituma, the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) has deployed smaller vessels to transport passengers and cargo onward to their final destination.
“The plan is that all passengers and cargo are loaded onto the MV Ma Lisha and transported to Kumaka. From there, smaller vessels move the passengers and cargo between Kumaka and Port Kaituma,” he explained.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the arrangement ensures residents continue to receive essential transportation services while authorities work to address the challenges arising from the MV Barima tragedy.
The government has maintained that every effort is being made to minimise disruptions to travel, commerce and the delivery of goods to communities across Region One while investigations and recovery efforts related to the MV Barima incident continue.
PM Phillips reiterated the administration’s commitment to ensuring that residents of the North West District remain connected and that the movement of people and supplies continues uninterrupted through the alternative transport system now in operation.
DPI
