Three incoming flights at the Timehri Airport one after the other on Saturday morning not only exposed serious weaknesses in the existing ferry service operated by the Transport and Harbours Department [T&HD] across the Berbice river but also the level of irregularities long known to those who use the service on a regular basis.

An exceptionally large number of vehicles began queuing up at the New Amsterdam Stelling last Friday night as early as 7 pm from across the region en route to the airport approximately 80 miles away. The queue of approximately 40 cars, mini-buses, canters and trucks was as long as half a mile stretching down to the Ice Factory from the entrance of the stelling. Most, including a vehicle used by this reporter which was in the queue since 8 pm, had to wait for at least five hours to cross the river.

On returning to Rosignol from the airport at around 10.30 am on Saturday morning this reporter joined a convoy that stretched for almost one mile along the stelling road. For a variety of reasons including poor management and a high incidence of irregular practices the vehicle used by this reporter was not allowed to cross the river to New Amsterdam until 5.30 pm. A large number of overseas-based Guyanese returning home on vacation were visibly upset by the long wait and a number were seen leaving their vehicles to make the journey across the river on foot. Many complained to this newspaper about the time it took for them to cross the river, the attitude of employees of the Transport and Harbours Department and in particular the supervisor, Nicole Lindie. A number of drivers told this newspaper that during their wait several vehicles came from "nowhere," joined the line in front of them and yet were allowed to board either the MV Torani or the pontoon, MB Sandaka which were plying the crossing.

This newspaper also witnessed a number of vehicles that refused to join the queue but were still allowed to board the vessels. These irregularities were occurring even though two female police ranks from the Blairmont Police Station were seen patrolling the queue for several hours. While the cars and mini-buses and their passengers were forced to remain in the broiling afternoon sun for several hours, trucks were allowed to board the MV Torani upon their arrival at Rosignol. This caused undue delays for the lighter vehicles since the trucks occupied the space of at least two vehicles on the vessel. One employee who was summoning vehicles to enter the loading area was asked about the obvious irregularities and the fact that the Government had put on hold the issuance of priority passes following numerous complaints about the abuse of the system. He replied by saying that I should refer my concerns to the supervisor, Ms Lindie.

On approaching the supervisor she told this newspaper that its observations were untrue and no malpractices had been taking place, asking for the evidence to be produced.

When the supervisor was confronted with the numbers of three vehicles PDD 6469, PDD 7434 and BGG 7555 that had been allowed to board one particular vessel even though they had not joined the queue she became hostile and abusive. Lindie said that the bus BGG 7555 had a sick person aboard and this is why it was allowed to board the vessel without joining the line. However at least two other drivers overheard the driver of that bus boasting that he would not have to join the line. In relation to the second vehicle PDD 7434, Lindie responded by saying "I know about that vehicle." The third PDD 6469 she said was allowed to board the vessel even though it was not in the line, by one of the police constables, Ms Robertson. The supervisor then told this newspaper that she had no obligation to explain anything to anyone saying "you can do whatever you want, I am in charge here not you" before launching a personal attack on this reporter in a loud tone of voice.

When questioned about the van PDD 6469, Constable Robertson said that the van was in the line but the driver had left to go somewhere. "On his return" she said "he decided not to rejoin the line. I then told him to go into the boat since boats were coming and going and he had not decided to board any of them." At least five drivers told this newspaper that they saw other drivers in the line paying as much as $5,000 for a place at the top of the line to other drivers who had vacated theirs.

This practice they say is very prevalent on both sides of the river. They noted that whenever the traffic builds up on both sides of the river some persons exploit the situation to their financial benefit. Last Friday night and Saturday morning was a bonanza for some employees they told this newspaper. A number of visitors told Stabroek News that they will never come back home because of the "hassles" involved and the blatant malpractices they witnessed at Rosignol last Saturday.

The journey from New Amsterdam to Timehri and back took this reporter almost 24 hours while the trip from New York to Timehri took the visiting Guyanese approximately five hours.

A Management Commit-ee was established some years ago to look into ways and means of improving the service. Those who use the ferry on a regular basis say nothing has improved over the years and in fact the situation may have worsened. Those who experienced the chaos and irregularities on Friday and Saturday are calling for an investigation by the Manager of the Department into the operations of the two stellings and in particular the Rosignol Stelling.