Given the Chinese track record here, can we really trust them with a vital project as the new DHB?

Nov 19, 2021 Letters

Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – On Tuesday 16th November, I travel with a minibus from Uitvlugt to Vreed-en-Hoop, then a speed boat to Georgetown, and finally with a minibus to Providence. Incredibly, my journey started from around 7:43 am and finished around 9:30 am without me stopping anywhere. Out of the fear of being caught in the traffic congestion at the Demerara Habour Bridge, I chose the route which lasted just around two hours. Because most people are journeying in the other direction mainly to work or conduct their business, I presumed that by travelling the opposite way, my trip would have been smoother and faster. Painfully, it’s not, and thinking about those going to work, the time they would eventually reach, what they would have to face from their superior, I just felt very angry at our government, who’s entrusted with the responsibility to manage our beautiful Guyana to make life comfortable for us, but seemingly, only they are living a comfortable life.
Editor, the majority of commuters’ woes lie on our roadways. Whilst Government is establishing housing schemes, they’ve failed miserably to provide proper roadways to relieve us from the constant traffic congestion occurring daily. Despite promises, I’ve never seen any government provide plans for the development of our roadways to ease the burden, even though works are currently underway, that hasn’t convinced me that it would ease the congestion, because, all the plans are showing flat roads, no overpass that would allow traffic to flow smoothly. Instead, we’re seeing schemes building with bottle neck roads being constructed even though we are seeing schemes already developed having serious traffic problems, causing Guyanese to be seriously affected by traffic congestion almost everywhere you turn. Coupled with that, the government has invested millions, if not billions of dollars in traffic lights, identifying bus stops, security cameras. It would be a miracle if you could find any serving its purpose that money was wasted for it.
Finally, Editor, hints keep popping up for a more modernised harbour bridge and despite promises by various governments, we haven’t moved from the promises. Instead, we see millions being dishonestly shared out under the guise of the feasibility study. Whilst there are lots of talks of recovering monies lost that taxpayers have to replace; the white-collar thieves are still enjoying their luxurious lifestyles on taxpayers’ sweat. Incredibly, the nation was surprised when Dr. Jagdeo announced that a Chinese company has been awarded the contract to construct a new Habour Bridge for us and they are the best he could find. This is a former president, who is always present in Guyana to witness contracts being awarded to Chinese contractors and they failed repeatedly to deliver. Extensions on the extension were granted, some failed to deliver and additional money was requested. The Skeldon Factory, Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Mandela Ave./Sheriff Street just to name a few. have been extended in some cases, twice longer than they would have estimated the work to be completed. Additional money was requested. Now, Guiana desperately needs a more modernised harbour bridge urgently and given the Chinese track records in Guyana they are still given preference. Is it because they are lending money? No doubt they will be forced to complete the bridge before the next general election, in order to buy votes, but if they cannot complete a road in five years, are we to trust them with such a vital project and expect it to be safe?

Yours faithfully
Sahadeo Bates

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Given the Chinese track record here, can we really trust them with a vital project as the new DHB?

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