The Alliance For Change (AFC) has voiced serious concerns over the government’s plan to construct a new Berbice River Bridge, a project expected to cost over US$260 million. In a public missive today, the party headed by recently elected Leader, Nigel Hughes. suggested that the proposed bridge, if modeled after the New Demerara River Bridge, represents a significant financial undertaking, prompting the AFC to demand transparency and rigorous justification to ensure that this expenditure serves the best interests of the Guyanese public.
To this end it was noted that while the AFC supports development and modernization, the party stresses the importance of responsible governance, particularly when dealing with large-scale public investments.
As such, the AFC has since called on the government to release the findings of any pre-feasibility study that informed the decision to proceed with this bridge project. Furthermore, the party insists that a comprehensive feasibility study and an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) be conducted and made publicly available before advancing further.
Among the AFC’s key concerns is the status of the existing Berbice Bridge, which currently operates under a ‘concessional agreement.’
The party in its statement, sought to question whether the government plans to prematurely terminate this agreement, and if so, what compensation will be offered to the Berbice Bridge Company.
Additionally, the AFC notes that the Berbice Bridge Company had previously claimed financial losses, leading to a 2018 attempt to increase tolls by fourfold—a move that the AFC successfully blocked. With the announcement of a new bridge, it remains uncertain whether the company will seek legal recourse again.
To this end the AFC also highlighted the questionable feasibility of the existing Berbice Bridge, which cost an estimated US$40M, and was subject to criticism when it was built. The party, as such, urged the government to avoid repeating past mistakes by ensuring that the new project is supported by solid, transparent, and publicly accessible data.
The decision to build a new bridge, according to the AFC, may be based on flawed assumptions and pointed out that the current administration has already acknowledged the infeasibility of other large-scale projects, such as a deep-water harbor and an oil refinery.
Additionally, the AFC questioned whether a similar assessment has been conducted for the new bridge and, if not, why the project is being pursued.
Reminding that critical details such as the proposed location of the new bridge and anticipated toll rates remain undisclosed, the AFC demanded that this information be made available to the public, as it will have a direct impact on those who rely on the bridge for daily commutes.
The AFC in its missive reiterated that despite Guyana’s burgeoning oil revenues, the nation’s needs far exceed its current income and that party warns that reckless spending on projects lacking clear feasibility and tangible benefits could impose an undue financial burden on future generations.
As such, the opposition faction in the coalition opposition called on government to exercise prudence and transparency, urging the administration to share all relevant studies and assessments related to the new Berbice River Bridge project, emphasizing that only a clear and justified plan will ensure that such a significant investment truly benefits the people of Guyana.
