Section of G/town Stelling roofing collapses

Neglect of the Georgetown FerryStelling has resulted in further collapse. Yesterday, another section of the roof caved in and was left dangling precariously over market vendors, commuters and speedboat operators in the vicinity.

The dilapidated structure that is collapsing.

 

“This thing happened about 5:00 hours (yesterday). Is when somebody dead then these people will get serious about fixing this falling structure. Imagine how many people can die or get hurt if this entire roof collapses,” one vendor declared.

Recently a plank fell on 40-year-old Charles Ferdinand, of East La Penitence, hospitalizing him for days. Several persons expressed their frustration at getting authorities to recognize the danger they face daily. The vendors said that the market has been deteriorating for years, but no one seems concerned.

The dilapidated wharf attracts a crowd every Wednesday morning when people from farming communities outside of Georgetown, come to offload their goods. Customers and retailers flock the unstable area to make cheaper purchases directly from the farmers.

The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is responsible for the upkeep of the market facility, but they had for years been crying broke. There is a regular flow of persons on the wharf each day.

Many persons said that the rotting and unstable structure may even collapse, resulting in fatalities. Speed boat operators and vendors claim that they have complained to the Transport and Harbours Department, and also to Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, but it appear as nothing is being done.

One speedboat operator noted that a few months ago a ship rammed into the Stelling and payment was made to the authorities for repairs. However, to date nothing was done.

Passengers using the Georgetown and Vreed-en-Hoop Ferry Stellings are further registering their complaints about the dilapidated state of the facilities, and calls are being made for the relevant authority to fix the structures before tragedy occurs.
On many occasions when speed boats and ships make a hard mooring, the fragility of the structure is exposed.

The Transport and Harbours Department, working with the Maritime Administration Department, had promised to rein in reckless captains.
The Public Works Ministry, through the Transport and Harbour Division, has been constantly repairing the main on and off loading steps at Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling as its prime focus.

According to the operators, a daily landing fee is paid to the Transport and Harbours Department, which is supposed to be used to develop the facilities.

Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn said that officials will be dispatched to the area and a decision will be made on the way forward.