00:00Businesswoman Diane Haddad is today raising serious concerns about the newly introduced
00:06vessel, the MV Blue Wave Harmony, questioning whether it even has the capacity to transport
00:13vehicles, carry goods. She says the uncertainty is crippling commerce, with Tobago once again
00:20forced into a defensive position instead of being allowed to grow and compete.
00:26The capacity of this vessel is 100. It was banding around that it could take 400 vehicles.
00:34You know, somebody sent me something and it does not read the same. It actually reads for me that
00:42it has cabins and so which is something we would have complained about for years. And it has the
00:48capacity for some more people. But the actual lane space and the lane mileage in terms of the vehicle
01:01capacity doesn't seem to be that of the Cabo Star. She also challenges the explanation given by
01:08authorities for damage sustained by the vessel following an incident on Friday, saying the
01:14account does not add up. Haddad believes the lack of clear, honest communication is further eroding
01:21trust among key stakeholders. Now they call it a tear, but we are now hearing it's 30 feet long,
01:28three feet deep. So a tear is not 30 feet long and three feet deep. That is a rip in the vessel. You know, that is a major accident in terms of maybe we don't know the sea language or the ocean language, but Marlon, their words are not coming out. There is no proper engagement.
01:53According to Haddad, the core problem is poor communication, insisting. Ministers are not
01:59consulting the right people. I do not know who the ministers engage. Clearly, there is no proper
02:07communication and engagement by the users of the ferry. Unfortunately, the politicians don't use the boats.
02:14They don't go on them other than in their suits and ties and pretty dresses. They go there to shake
02:22hands and do whatever and cut deals, make contracts. They don't go and use that boat. They don't understand
02:29the mechanics and the use of the boat. She says Tobago's recovery depends on meaningful collaboration
02:36with the private sector, warning that without it, the island will remain stuck on the back foot.
02:44Nikul M. Romani, TV6 News.
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