Residents of Fort Island on the Essequibo River are unhappy with the Transport and Harbours Department(T&HD) ferry service, complaining of irregular arrivals and short stops.

They say that because of the ferry’s unpredictable hours much of their produce intended for sale at market is spoiled. Most of the residents are farmers or fishermen who depend on the ferry service to take their produce to Parika, because using a private boat is too expensive.

Residents say when the ferry docks, the time it spends is insufficient for persons to get down to the stelling with their produce. “Sometimes it don’t even blow. You have to listen to the [rumble] of the engine to know that the ferry coming,” one woman said.

According to a TH&D official, the Bartica ferry stops at Fort Island on Thursdays and Saturdays at 9:00 am.

But residents say that the ferry does not arrive until 11:00 am.

Stabroek News learnt also that the stelling is in a bad state and shakes when the ferry is being moored. Caretaker Alfred Mittelholzer said that the stelling was badly in need of repairs and if left unchecked, the ferry might no longer be able to safely berth there.