Go private to fix the sea bridge problems

THE EDITOR: One does not have to be a believer in “Obia” to conclude that there is something radically not right with the sea bridge between Tobago and Trinidad.

The latest “incident” – a fire on the water-taxi on a trip from Scarborough to Port-of-Spain with some 60 passengers – should be enough to bring home to the authorities that there is much to be put right notwithstanding the eventual arrival of the “slow boat from China.”

Indeed, I have already advised sea bridge travellers that they should recondition their minds from the two-and-a-half-hour fast-ferry concept towards use of somewhat slower but more conventional-type and reliable vessels.

In this regard, I suggest that sailing for an additional hour should be more satisfying and less stressful than what has been experienced with the two “ghost” fast ferries.

Of fundamental concern is the four or five bodies which have some area of responsibility (some overlapping) for the sea bridge. I list the following:

1. The Ministry of Works and Transport (the line ministry).

2. The Port Authority.

3. The TT Inter-Island Transportation Co Ltd (a “hybrid” subsidiary of the Port Authority which seems to be confined predominantly to nothing more than ensuring that the vessels meet their pre-fixed schedules).

4. Nidco (also a “hybrid” to which responsibility has been assigned to source and purchase vessels, equipment and infrastructure).

5. Lately, a committee of the Cabinet which has been given the task to source a vessel which could service the sea bridge satisfactorily, and more.

Certainly, the “splitting” of responsibility identified above, with so many “cooks,” can only spoil the proverbial “broth” and can only be a contributory factor to the “confusion” with which the sea bridge is saddled today.

Not too long ago, I sought to direct attention to what I chose to call a “dependency syndrome” which has been visiting Tobago for as long as could be remembered. It seems the ongoing issues of the sea bridge represent this phenomenon in a classical sense.

I had also suggested, some time ago, that the TT Inter-Island Transportation Co Ltd should be transformed into a full-fledged private company which would be “weaned” from the Port Authority itself. I now do so once more.

Indeed, the Government ought to seize this opportunity to allow those who have a stake in the economy of Tobago (including Trinidadians) and have been most vociferous in the matter of the sea bridge to “put their money where their mouth is.”

There would, of course, be sceptics .They would be aware, however, that all the vessels which ply between our Caribbean neighbours and Trinidad are privately-owned. I venture to suggest that a government shareholding could be confined to providing a portion of infrastructure, working out the mechanics of which would not be beyond our own qualified professions.

ERROL OC CUPID , Tacarigua

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"Go private to fix the sea bridge problems"

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