Government’s approach towards the implementation of the New Demerara River Crossing project, specifically allowing the contractors to take the lead in helping to design the new bridge was criticised by the political Opposition.
Opposition Leader for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Dr Bharrat Jadeo has described this move as incompetent, outlining that by going that route the incumbent Administration has displayed that it is unsure about what it is undertaking.
Jagdeo recalled that the aim was to have three contractors who would provide proposals either to fund the bridge or have a public/private partnership (PPP) with the Government.
Instead, the Opposition Leader has claimed, Government is waiting on the three handpicked contractors to decide on the design.
“Nowhere in the world has this happened. When we built the Berbice Bridge, we decided from the beginning that we wanted a public/ private partnership. We developed a prospectus and a financial model for the bridge. We changed the laws for a PPP, and we went out for tender for investors,” he said.
Jagdeo has said that, in the case of the new Demerara River Crossing project, the contractor will be leading the project.
He also reiterated his party’s non-support for a bridge which has to open, as currently obtains.
“We will support the Government if it goes with a high-level bridge that is fixed; that has no opening. And once it is transparently pursued, we will support the Government,” he added.
The new bridge is intended to replace the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB).
A $146M feasibility study done by Dutch consultant LievenseCSO recommends that toll rates be increased to 250 per cent of the present 2017 toll rates. It also recommends a 700 per cent increase in tolls for river vessels.
The report estimates that they project will cost some US$170M, inclusive of interest, in pre-financing costs during the construction.
