Business Chambers: Ferry disruptions hurting Tobago business

The chair of the Tobago Division of the T&T Chamber, Dianne Hadad, says disruptions with the sailing schedule of the Cabo Star—the cargo vessel servicing Tobago—are creating more hardship for small businesses trying to survive on the sister island.

Hadad said the connectivity between the islands is unreliable.

“Que sera, sera. We have had no sailings Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and now today,” she said. “We would have gotten the information on a daily basis. Last night I was advised that the boat is not ready or would not be able to sail today again.”

“We are continuously hurt in Tobago because of the inefficiencies and ineffectiveness of the Port Authority and the delivery of services by the ferries for years,” Hadad argued. “We got a little break and then clearly, we are heading back there.”

Hadad said business is not booming in Tobago as many businesses are struggling to survive.

Meanwhile, Martin George, Chairman of the Tobago Business Chamber, said Tobagonians cannot be held to ransom because of ferry issues.

He confirmed having spoken with the TTIT CEO, Vilma Cockburn, who revealed that a problem with part of the ramp at the Port of Port of Spain was the reason for the current delay, but it was being rectified, and service should be up and running once more on Thursday.

George said if the vessel is still not operational tomorrow, the T&T Inter Island Ferry Service (TTIT) should put an alternative arrangement in place.

By: Shastri Boodan