Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 01, 2013 News
After sitting in the dockyard for the past seven months, the M.V Kimbia, Guyana’s premier North West vessel is scheduled for a new release date in August, the Transport and Harbours Department (TH&D) officials disclosed.
The ferry was previously listed for a return to service last June.
In an invited comment, General Manager of the TH&D, Marcelene Merchant yesterday, revealed that the Kimbia should be ready for the waters by August 15.
Merchant explained that although the vessel has been released from the dockyard, the maintenance work is not yet completed.
Merchant said that the delay was caused by additional repairs given that other mechanical problems were discovered when the vessel was under repairs.
“The Kimbia is out of dock but still at Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) wharf. However the vessel has to undergo other minor repairs to the super structure and Transport engineers are working simultaneously with GNIC… to overhaul the engines and generators.”
She explained that the bulk of the work is almost complete.
The vessel has been sitting in the dockyard pending repairs since January 13, 2013. The delay has had a severe impact on the transportation service of the North West residents. They have been forced to rely on the much smaller Lady Northcote and other private vessels at great costs to get to and from the district.
Amidst reports of dispute between that contracted Maintenance Company, GNIC and the Transport and Habours Department (TH&D) earlier this year, this newspaper acquired information that the Vessel would have been released by June 12.
GNIC and the Transport and Harbours Department entered into an agreement on November 5, 2012 for the docking of the boat at a contract sum of $118M. However, subsequent to that, GNIC submitted another variation demanding an additional $79 M for unapproved work done to the vessel.
The matter was resolved with only $25 M worth of that variation completed, as work deemed most critical and necessary for seaworthiness of the vessel was carried out.
“It was essential or moreso critical, hence majors repair had to be completed to the frames….thus the critical areas were addressed.”
Based on a disclosure made by Transport Minister Robeson Benn, during a visit to the dockyard that this may very well be last duties of the ferry to North West district, Merchant disclosed that plans are underway for the purchase of a new ferry. Although, Ms Merchant could not disclose the cost for the new vessel at this time, the value of vessel of this kind would be approximately US$10 M.
“This may be the last docking of the Kimbia, we expect a new vessel by next year … only recently we had submitted the sketch to Foreign Affairs Ministry,” the General Manger said.
The new ferry is in all probability to be sourced from India.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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