Latest update January 17th, 2025 6:30 AM
Corentyne River Bridge… Suriname, China to arrange financing
…Guyana to build approach road
The New River Bridge across the Corentyne River to be funded by the Chinese will be done through an arrangement between Suriname and China, not Guyana.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
This is according to Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, who yesterday said that the financial affairs of the project are being negotiated between the two countries and as such, she would not be able to say if it would be a loan or a grant.
She did point out that the money would be coming from the US$3 billion in loans to 10 Caribbean nations, including Guyana, that was announced by Chinese President, Xi Jinping.
Regarding local input into the project, she said that Guyana will only be required to build an approach road to the bridge. The Minister was unable to say exactly where this would be located as more than one location is being looked at.
She said that in finalizing a location, a number of factors will have to be addressed, such as the flow of water.
The announcement of the likelihood of a bridge across the Corentyne River, to be funded by China came on Monday last when Minister Rodrigues-Birkett held an engagement with the media. She said that the design for the bridge is currently being done, and is expected to be completed soon.
She said Suriname had initially requested that Guyana approach China to fund the bridge.
The idea for the bridge was developed by former President Bharrat Jagdeo and Surinamese President Desi Bouterse, when the latter visited Guyana in September 2010.
Minister Rodrigues-Birkett said she could not estimate the cost of the bridge.
There is currently a ferry service operating for travel between the two countries, but many use the back track route via speedboat.
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