President Irfaan Ali has defended his government’s plan to construct a state-of-the-art fixed high-span bridge across the Berbice River, addressing concerns raised by the opposition Alliance For Change (AFC) regarding feasibility, costs, and other issues.
During a recent visit to Region Eight, President Ali responded to the AFC’s critique, asserting that their concerns were rooted in a resistance to progress. He emphasised that the bridge is essential for accommodating continuous river and overhead traffic, which aligns with the government’s broader development agenda for the region.
“We have outlined that Berbice is set to become a major industrial hub, with projects such as the port facility in Berbice, the new industrial zone, the Palmyra development, and the new road network,” Ali stated. He further criticised the opposition, labelling them as “hypocrites” who oppose any development, suggesting they view investments in these regions as politically motivated.
Reflecting on his time as an opposition Member of Parliament, Ali recalled questioning the APNU+AFC government about the socio-economic studies that justified their decision to shutter sugar estates. “When I asked for the socio-economic study supporting the closure of the sugar estates, they dismissed the need for one, claiming the industry was a burden on the state,” he said. Ali condemned the opposition for their lack of vision and pledged to ensure the Berbice River Bridge project is completed, promising it will be more competitive, cost-effective, and efficient.
The AFC recently voiced concerns over the government’s plans, suggesting that if the new bridge is modelled after the New Demerara River Bridge, the project could cost taxpayers in excess of US$260 million—significantly more than the existing Berbice Bridge. The party argued that such a substantial investment requires rigorous scrutiny and transparency to guarantee it serves the best interests of the Guyanese people.
While the AFC maintained that it is not opposed to development and modernization, it called on the government to release the findings of any pre-feasibility studies that informed the decision to proceed with the new bridge project. The party also urged for a comprehensive feasibility study and an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) to be conducted and made publicly available before any further steps are taken.
Key concerns raised by the AFC include the status of the existing Berbice Bridge, which operates under a concessional agreement until 2030. The AFC questioned whether the government plans to terminate this agreement prematurely and, if so, what compensation will be provided to the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI). The AFC highlighted that the BBCI had previously operated at a loss, leading to attempts in 2018 to increase tolls, which were blocked by the AFC and subsequently challenged in the Caribbean Court of Justice.
The AFC also pointed out that the existing Berbice Bridge, which cost US$40 million, faced criticism for its questionable feasibility when initially constructed. They cautioned the government against repeating past mistakes and emphasised the importance of basing the new project on solid, transparent, and publicly available data.
Furthermore, the AFC expressed concerns that the decision to build a new bridge might be based on flawed assumptions, noting that the current administration had recently acknowledged the infeasibility of other large-scale projects, such as a deep-water harbour and an oil refinery. The party questioned whether a similar assessment had been conducted for the new bridge and called for the government to provide details regarding the location of the proposed bridge and the anticipated toll rates, which they argue are critical factors for those who rely on the bridge for daily commutes.
Despite the AFC’s concerns, President Ali reiterated the government’s commitment to the project, noting that the new four-lane bridge is part of the broader infrastructural development plan not just for Berbice but for the entire country. He highlighted the importance of such projects in enhancing the competitiveness of the business environment and overall efficiency in Guyana.
In related developments, the Ministry of Public Works recently advertised for the pre-qualification of contractors to design, build, and finance the New Berbice River Bridge. Pre-qualification application documents became available on Monday at the Ministry’s Accounts Department in Fort Street, Kingston, for a non-refundable fee of $25,000. Tenders are scheduled to be submitted to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board by September 18.
