Latest update June 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Nov 06, 2018 News
Berbicians who have been keeping abreast ofthe news in relation to the recent announcement to hike the bridge tolls have expressed their satisfaction over the most recent decision by the Government of Guyana to take control of the bridge, temporarily.
Although many were not updated about new developments, the few that were aware said that they welcomed the move by the government.
One woman said, “I seh that is a good thing the government do for us. The country ain’tgon suffer because the bridge fare would have break down the country more. So I really appreciate whatever the government has done for us”.
The announcement to hike the tolls was made in October with an exorbitant raise from $1,900 for cars to $8040. Many bus operators cried out that the rise was “ridiculous”. They said that it would not auger well for their livelihood. They had made calls for the government to take over the bridge, a move they said would be welcomed.
Another Berbician told reporters, “It’s a welcomed move, welcome in a sense that the previous management team was unconscionable in terms of the conditions that they had laid out. To propose a fare hike for cars from $1900 to $8000 was simply unthinkable.
“What I am hoping now is that the government would apply the best management systems possible to ensure that the customers and the travelling public benefit from this decision. But let’s wait and see how things work out. But for me it’s an extremely welcomed move as compared having to face paying $12,000 to go to Georgetown”.
During a visit to the toll entry/exit at the Berbice Bridge yesterday morning, members of staff told this publication that they were not aware of any takeover from the government. They informed Kaieteur News that the person in charge was not in Berbice but was engaged in a meeting in Georgetown and that there was no-one in authority that could speak with us.
They were somewhat hesitant to allow the media to take pictures of the bridge and its toll entry/exit point but eventually submitted and allowed access. A press release issued by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, stated that the Government of Guyana and the Berbice Bridge Company have been engaged in a public dispute over the announcement on October 16,2018 by BBCI to impose the “draconian toll increases at the Berbice River Bridge”.
They highlighted that the dispute which has been going on for several years came to a head recently when BBCI demanded a 360% increase on the toll for users of the bridge. That hike was slated to take effect from November 12, 2018.
The Ministry stated that it has made it public that “the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Government of Guyana cannot support the unreasonable demand for an increase in the toll on the public which is based on a flawed formula and computation”. Against the backdrop, on the basis of correspondence between both sides as recently as over the past few days, the government said that they do not envision a swift resolution to this crisis and therefore, in accordance with the powers conferred upon the Minister by Sections 4 (1) and 11 of the Berbice River Bridge Act, in the interests of public safety, the Minister issued (yesterday) an Order declaring that the functions of the Concessionaire to maintain and operate the Bridge shall be exercised by the Government of Guyana as of November 5, 2018 until the date the Minister specifies by notice on the cessation of the threat to public safety”.
However, the government gave assurance, that it will do everything in its power to alleviate disruption to the public and ensure that the assumption of these functions is as smooth as possible.
“The truth is, too many of our citizens are dependent on the continuous operations and use of the Berbice Bridge and we should not allow anyone to unreasonably and capriciously endanger their livelihood and public order in one of our vital regions.
“The Ministry of Public Infrastructure would like to assure the citizens of Berbice and the public in general on behalf of the Government of Guyana that there will be no change to the present toll structure and all exemptions presently in place will remain in effect.” The Ministry has also made it clear in the statement that there will be no change to the staffing complement, contractors and suppliers as they transition into the new and hopefully temporary arrangement.
The Ministry assured that dialogue will continue with BBCI in expectation of an amicable resolution to the dispute.
This country does not hear anything about oil from the PPP or the PNC
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