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Guyana and Suriname to discuss Corentyne River Bridge project this weekend
President Mohamed Irfaan Ali speaking with the press on Monday
Kaieteur News – President Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Monday announced that there will be a face-to-face meeting with the new Surinamese President, Jennifer Simons over the weekend to discuss the advancement of the Corentyne River Bridge project and other programmes that the two countries had agreed upon.
The Guyanese leader made the comments while responding to questions from the media on the sidelines of a ceremony held at his office to swear-in Prime Minister, Mark Phillips and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. Asked for an update on the Corentyne River Bridge Project, Ali responded, “Yes we have had some discussions with the Surinamese Minister on all the ongoing projects including the bridge.” before adding “I think over the weekend we will have a face to face with the president of Suriname.” “The ministries are working that out to advance this programme”, Ali continued.
With regard to financing for the project, Ali said, “Well that is part of what we are discussing, the financing mechanisms, how it will be structured and those kind of things.”
President Ali assured that based on discussions so far there has not been any changes in the committee tasked with managing the project as it relates to the project being a priority.
“Even today, we have not had a response that this is not a priority but the meeting this weekend hopefully would clarify and would settle what the priorities are for Suriname this time.”, Ali said.
New Suriname President, Jennifer Simons [AFP = Yonhap News]
However, Santoki’s party lost the May 25 Suriname Parliamentary Elections and a new president, Jennifer Simons was elected. Since then, there has been no further update on the bridge project. The Guyana Government had set aside some GYD$5 billion in the 2025 budget toward the bridge’s construction.
Kaieteur News had reported the construction of the Bridge between the two South American nations will be executed by China Road and Bridge Corporation. China Road and Bridge Corporation was among three bidders that submitted proposals to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office last year and had won. According to media reports, the governments of Guyana and Suriname had requested funding from China for the project and were awaiting approval. The Corentyne River bridge once completed will span approximately 1,100 metres in length with 22 spans measuring 50 metres each. The sub-structure is expected to withstand minor vessel impact. The carriageway is expected to span around 10.05 metres, accommodating two lanes under regular conditions and three lanes during emergencies or controlled situations.
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