Govt allowing contractors to lead project – Jagdeo
New Demerara river crossing
…reiterates non-support for medium level open bridge
The Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has criticised Government for the approach it has taken in regard to implementation of the New Demerara River Crossing project, wherein it is allowing the contractors to take the lead in helping to design the new bridge.
![](https://guyanatimesgy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Jagdeo-2.jpg)
General Secretary of the PPP/C, Bharrat Jagdeo, has described this move as incompetent, and has said it only shows how unsure the Government is about what is it undertaking.
Jagdeo recalled that the aim was to have three contractors who would provide proposals either to fund the bridge or have a public/private partnership (PPP) with the Government. Instead, the Opposition Leader has claimed, Government is waiting on the three handpicked contractors to decide on the design.
“Nowhere in the world has this happened. When we built the Berbice Bridge, we decided from the beginning that we wanted a public/ private partnership. We developed a prospectus and a financial model for the bridge. We changed the laws for a PPP, and we went out for tender for investors,” he said.
Jagdeo has said that, in the case of the new Demerara River Crossing project, the contractor will be leading the project. He also reiterated his party’s non-support for a bridge which has to open, as currently obtains.
![](https://guyanatimesgy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/New-Bridge.jpg)