The People's Progressive Party today lashed out at the political opposition for what it says is an attempt to use the issue of the Berbice River Bridge fares for political purposes. Read the full statement below:
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) once again notes how the Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and the Alliance For Change (AFC), misused their combined one-seat majority in the National Assembly to impose and derail economic ventures which are pivotal for our country’s continued economic growth and prosperity of its people. Their latest foray in this regard is the motion they passed on Wednesday, May 15, 2014, to reduce the Berbice River Bridge toll.
History will vindicate that PPP/C-led government, through the prudent management of this country’s financial resources, has implemented numerous measures over the last two decades to ensure that Guyanese derive maximum benefits from modern infrastructure. This is as a direct result of the enabling environment created by the government to ensure that ordinary Guyanese benefit from the unprecedented development thrust over the years.
The Party wishes to state categorically that as enshrined in all of our several manifestos, the creation of a better life for all has been our foremost priority. This was never envisaged to be confined to one geographical area of our country. As a result, Guyanese from all Regions continue to have their lives improved.
The numerous projects implemented over the years are as a result of a combination of our country’s own economic resources, assistance through loans/grants from international agencies and through the encouragement of Public/Private Sector Partnership, among others. The economic resources the country has been able to make available for these development projects was a result of prudent management with the well being of our people foremost in mind. The loans/grants and the partnership with the Private Sector have been effected from the confidence investors have in Guyana.
The enabling economic environment and investors’ confidence were monumental tasks to achieve given the ruins our country was left in by the PNC regime and the despondency created both here and overseas. Today, Guyana is been lauded by many international agencies and countries for the economic successes and the standard of living Guyanese now experience. It is in this context that our Party believes that the attempt by the Opposition to impose itself on the operations of the Berbice River Bridge would have a negative impact on investors’ confidence and their willingness to conduct business here.
This action by the Opposition is a direct intrusion on a private investment in an attempt to scare the investors off. This is déjà vu for Guyanese in terms of the actions of the Opposition and their actions when they wer
These chaps from Berbice have no comment on the Bridge