Former Minister of Government and former parliamentarian Annette Ferguson has renewed scrutiny of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration over the continued non-operation of the Rosignol–New Amsterdam water taxi service, which was introduced by the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition government in 2017, warning that a valuable public asset funded by taxpayers has been left to deteriorate without explanation.
In a letter to the media, Ferguson, who served in the APNU+AFC administration, recalled that the water taxi service was introduced as a targeted intervention to ease transportation challenges for school children, pensioners and daily commuters travelling between the two Berbice locations. The initiative involved the purchase of two vessels at an estimated cost of $20 million and was also intended to create income-earning opportunities for residents in both communities.
Ferguson said the service was well utilised and quickly became an important transportation alternative. However, she alleged that following the change in government in August 2020, the PPP/C administration discontinued the service without public disclosure or justification.
Reliable transportation is essential to school attendance and learning, as it directly affects students’ ability to arrive on time, consistently, and safely. When transport systems fail or are withdrawn, children—especially those from vulnerable communities—face increased absenteeism, fatigue, and stress, all of which undermine academic performance. Access to dependable transportation is therefore not merely a logistical issue, but a fundamental component of equitable education and learning outcomes.
According to Ferguson, the water taxis were briefly returned to operation in May 2022, but she contended that the move was framed as a new government initiative rather than the continuation of a coalition-era project already financed by taxpayers. She argued that the short-lived reinstatement amounted to political posturing and failed to establish a sustainable operational framework. The vessels, she said, have since once again fallen out of service.
Ferguson said a recent visit to the Rosignol Stelling highlighted what she described as a troubling level of abandonment. The stelling, once active with daily commuters and students, now shows no visible signs of water taxi operations. She noted that users who previously depended on the service continue to face hardship, while officials from the Ministry of Public Works have offered no updates on the status of the vessels.
The former minister has publicly challenged Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill to account for the management of the water taxis. Among the questions she raised are the reasons for their removal from service, the current location and condition of the vessels and their engines, and the timeline for a full and permanent restoration of the service. She also questioned whether any activities are currently taking place at the Rosignol and New Amsterdam ferry stellings and how much it costs taxpayers each month to maintain facilities that appear to be largely inactive.
Ferguson framed the issue as one of accountability and governance, arguing that the continued silence surrounding the water taxis reflects a broader disregard for taxpayer-funded assets and public welfare. She said the matter extends beyond transportation inconvenience to include concerns about transparency, asset management and respect for public investment.
Photographs submitted alongside her letter reportedly show the vessels during their operational period contrasted with images of the current condition of the Rosignol Stelling, which she said underscores the extent of neglect.
Ferguson has called on the government to provide clear answers to the public and indicated that any response from Minister Edghill will be shared. She maintains that residents of Rosignol and New Amsterdam are entitled to reliable transportation and full disclosure on how public funds and assets are being managed.
