And who are these investors??? PPP insiders who are in bed with the government to set up fake private investment scams with public money.

The Berbice bridge was built with public money. Those are the facts of the matter.

Like schools and hospitals, public roads and bridges are public goods. It's a government's responsibility to provide public goods.

While a government may contract private firms to supply goods and services in order to create and complete public projects, engaging private investors as big partners is not beneficial to a nation.

Those private investors will want to maximize returns on their investments even at the expense of the consumers of public goods. This is exactly what's happening with the Berbice River Bridge.

The big private partners are calling the shots. The PPP/C government is upholding those partners' selfish interests in not wanting to reduce the tolls.

Who are the private partners with big shares in the bridge? Bobby Ramroop's empire is one of them. And it's evident that the Ramroop outfit intends to rip off the bridge authority as it is ripping off the Georgetown Public Hospital by monopolizing the supply of extra-high-priced drugs.

In my opinion, the parliamentary opposition parties are defending the interests of the traveling public in demanding the reduction of the bridge tools. And that's a good thing.

Gil

I guess that you do not use the 407 ETR. It was built by the Ontario Government and sold to a private company. 

I use the 407 ETR and I have no problems paying. Governments should not be giving handouts.

the temptation of public/private partnership has been that public officials select their private partners on the basis of enriching their friends and the PPP fell face first into this pattern. Once they partook of that poisoned fruit they  infected and all subsequent deals   made to date continue on the basis of more cash to their pockets.

The PPP is irredeemably corrupt. They are a disease without a cure. There is no rehabilitation of this lot. The entire upper echelon has to go for any redemption can be in the works.  They have to go.

yuji, my humble donkey cart is prohibited from using the 407 ETR.

The then conservative Government of Ontario built the 407 highway in 1997 and two years later leased it for 99 years to a private consortium for $3.1 billion.

yuji, I can understand that you would have no problem paying 407 ETR tools, being the proud owner of a Benz. But others do have problems with paying the tolls at the rates stipulated.

According to Wikipedia, "The Ontario provincial government has quarrelled with 407 ETR over toll rates and customer service. On February 2, 2004, the government delivered notice to 407 ETR that they are considered to be in default of their contract because of 407 ETR's decision to raise toll rates without first obtaining the government's permission. The court's initial decision sided with 407 ETR: on July 10, 2004, an independent arbitrator affirmed that 407 ETR has the ability to raise toll rates without first consulting the government. The government filed an appeal of this decision but was overruled by an Ontario Superior Court decision released on January 6, 2005; however, a subsequent ruling by the Ontario Court of Appeal on June 13, 2005 granted the government permission to appeal the decision....Critics have complained that the rising toll rates have made Highway 407 more of a 'luxury' rather than a bypass of existing congested roads as it was initially intended."

Where the Berbice bridge is concerned, the opposition parties are not advocating abolition of tolls, just a reduction to ease the financial burdens of consumers/vehicle owners.

The Berbice Bridge was built with 90% Tax payers money and handed over to the friends and cronies of the PPP/C. Even though the 407 was sold for a profit it costs Harris and his gang the election.

The poor Berbicians are not as rich as you.  

The owners of the ordinary share capital of $400 million are:

1.  Rambroop family (first man of Guyana ak Jagdeohoe) - $160 million,

2. The Beharry family from Chico sweets and Indi curry powder - $80 million;

3.  NIS - the workers of Guyana  - $80 million;

4. Demerara Construction - YESU Persaud   - $40 million;

5.  Hand in Hand - Keith Evlyn, another one of them Jagdehoe POOL bwoys   - $40 million.

So guess who greedy?

Dunce

If the PPP has to go, then pass a no confidence nation and we can have have free and fair elections.

You are such a dunce.

In 2011, 51% of the voters showed no confidence in the PPP. From the PPP own surveys, they know that number has grown since.

You cannot help but swallow your shoe! Dimwit, the post was about why they should leave ie they are kleptocratic. I never spoke of how they should leave. And for your information, I personally do not care if they are stoned out of office even though I lean for judicious removal. Also, someone is feeding you swill. A no confidence vote will not be enough to predicate an election. The President has to concur since our executive presidency co-opts that prerogative also.

Dunce

A no confidence motion is all that it takes to remove the PPP. You are such a dunce.

PPP/C = House of Israel.

The A.P.N.U/A.F.C are very cognizant that the P.P.P/C was a victim of their own success as such would never risk their razor thin majority by passing a vote of no confidence.

Here is the link. Find the section

Keep deluding yourself. If the PPP is a victim, it is to their own delusions they can be kleprocraic and depend on ethnic voting, patronage ( contact workers) and bead trading with the Amerinds. They already are in the minority and that will continue to erode. Imagine them losing another 8 points and still demanding autocratic prerogatives! The People will string them up from the local lamp posts.

Dunce

The PPP will win a majority. 

Anything can happen. It did rain fishes in Australia the other day.

Dunce

The PPP will win a majority.

as I said, you calling me a dunce is you at your best. In former times one would politely say you are "touched". 

These chaps from Berbice have no comment on the Bridge

when will the Berbice chamber speak and let their voice be heard on the Berbice TOLL?

Roopnarine Somwaru, fish vendor:

‘From my experience the toll is really too high. It is 95% more than the toll for the Demerara Harbour Bridge and the government should do something to reduce it. I don’t have to cross much because I would use our fishing boat. I can understand what the people who have to use the bridge to get to work on either side are facing though. It is not easy for them, especially single parents who have to find so much money for their children to cross on a daily basis. I agree that the bridge is very useful and it is a faster means. The price would suit the businesspeople but the small fishes would feel the pressure. Many people still use the pontoon that works in the mornings and afternoon to facilitate the schoolchildren, just to economize. With that toll we can cross the Demerara Bridge 22 times with our vehicles.’

Deodat Girdharri, Supervisor, security,

‘It seems as though the bridge is mostly for the rich people who have to transact business on either side. But the people who are working are finding it difficult. I have many friends who came from New Amsterdam end to work at Fort Wellington and other parts of the region but they … leaving their jobs because of the high fare to get there. They cannot afford to travel. I think they should reduce the toll so the bus fare can be lowered and more people would be able to travel. The buses would even get more work, more vehicles would cross and the bridge would still make a lot of money. I go to New Amsterdam once per week but if the toll was lower I would have travelled twice a week.’

Shazida Abdulla, businesswoman,

‘I feel the toll should really be reduced because many small businesspersons would like to cross their vehicles but it wouldn’t compensate them at all, especially if they just have to spend about an hour. I agree that waiting on the buses to full to take you across is time consuming. It is a shame that although some people have their vehicles for convenience they still cannot afford to use them. To me, this is affecting the development of the country and if we should move forward and promote tourism those responsible should reduce the cost. All of us can come forward and express our views and help to make changes. I know that the Bridge Company and the investors fixed the toll to match what the ferry used to charge. But how many ordinary Berbicians use to cross their vehicles? They were just foot passengers so they never paid those ridiculous charges. If there is an emergency you have to pay a lot of money to get across.’

Charles Sutherland, pensioner:

‘The bridge is very useful because you can travel across the river very fast and get back to continue your work. If persons had to wait on the boat it would have taken a very long time. I don’t know much concerning the toll or whatsoever but for the fare, I think it is alright. We don’t always have to wait long to get the bus. Only on Sunday and maybe after school hours we may have to wait a little longer for the bus to get enough passengers to leave the park. But otherwise to that, the transportation is good, it is much easier.’

Sanita, food vendor,

‘I have seven children and it is very expensive for me to take them across the bridge to visit my relatives on the Corentyne. I live at Blairmont and I have to pay $300 for each one to cross and I am a poor woman. Persons who have money would say they can afford it but it is the poor persons they have to cater for. With all that money they are charging I believe that they made enough money by now and can reduce the toll. I am glad that Rosignol Secondary became a List ‘A’ because the children who do well no longer have to worry about the high cost to crossing. They can come right here.’

Romeo, fisherman

‘The bridge toll is definitely too expensive. To me when they fixed the toll they were only thinking about the rich. I think if they reduce the toll it would be easier for poor people. Some children use the pontoon to go to school and that is a great help but not many of them feel safe using it. What’s the use of having a bridge in Berbice and not having easy access because of cost? Many people would like to use bicycles and they should have allowed that.’

Nafeeza Majeed, domestic worker,

‘We love the bridge and we are very happy that we can use it to get across the river so quickly. It is much better than when we used to depend on the boat. But how many of us as Berbicians, are benefiting from it as we would like? People are barely surviving on small earnings and can only afford to use the bridge once in a while. Although New Amsterdam and the Corentyne are so close, they are still far. Parents who send more than one child to schools across the river are finding it hard. The government should have a special bus to take the children over. Also if we have a close relative admitted at the New Amsterdam Hospital we can’t go every day to see them. We have to pay over $1,000 in transportation and then maybe we would have to buy something to eat. I used to visit my relatives in New Amsterdam a lot but now it is too expensive. They should do something about the toll.’

Narine Persaud, fishing boat captain,

‘I think it is about time the bridge toll is reduced because the small man’s pocket is feeling it. We are very happy that we got a bridge but we are not enjoying it as much as we anticipated because many people cannot afford to use it too often. The APNU is right to ask for the toll to drop. But I believe that if the government cannot do it because they did not invest in it then the bridge company should drop it. Also, I would like the APNU and the AFC to make representation for the high charges at the GPL [Guyana Power & Light) and GWI (Guyana Water Inc.) to be dropped.’

Fizal Satar, fish

‘I agree that the bridge is very useful but it is very expensive for school children and government workers who have to cross on a daily basis. Single parents are also finding it difficult to pay that much money to cross. Those in authority need to do something because the poor people cannot afford it especially those who have a lot of children. Where are they going to find bus fare for all of them? The boat assists the schoolchildren a lot but it is not always on schedule. My concern is that the toll should be dropped and more people would cross. I know of many persons who have their vehicles and cannot use it cross because of the toll. There are some other people who never crossed the bridge and others who just cross one time per year.’

Juliet Dukhi, Humanitarian/Social Activist/Volunteer

‘The Berbice Bridge toll: a typical case of the rich getting richer and already poor sinking deeper into poverty. For the record I would like to state that I am not affiliated with any political parties past or present in Guyana. This on-going battle between the Opposition and the ruling party to reduce the current exorbitant toll seems like pouring water down a duck’s back; as the Minister of Transport and the ruling PPP are not budging a mere inch to the combined pleas of the opposition and the working class people to alleviate this financial burden placed on the grass root commuters using this lucrative investment. I firmly believe the fare is overly inflated and Guyana’s government is uncaring and insensitive to the needs of its grass-root citizens. Back in the good old days of the ferry the students travelled all month inclusive of weekends and public holidays on a mere $200 and adults $1000 contract. Pensioners travelled free, they simply had to show their national ID card to the ticket collector. Can the PPP; who claim they are a peoples’ government; tell the citizens of this country what system they have in place to alleviate the daily hardship faced by commuters of the Berbice Bridge? These commuters are forced to pay the exorbitant fare to cross; because if they fail to be on-board the ferry/pontoon during the two trips in the mornings and two in the afternoons only Monday thru Friday they have to use the route 56 buses, also on weekends. Some homes have three children who traverse the bridge to attend schools on the eastern side. The facts are in plain view for anyone with a conscience to see the amount of financial strain this puts on those poor low income and single parent families. Do the math – it’s quite simple: a commuter pays $300 one-way fare, so round-trip costs $600, that is just to cross the bridge, you still have to add the cost of transportation to and from school, to and from home; so let us say an average of $1000 per child per day and there are three children from one home who attend school five days per week as stipulated, some also attend extra lessons on weekends; need I say more?

An interesting point to note is all parliamentarians and government officials have a pass to cross on the bridge; a charge which no doubt is paid for by the hardworking taxpayers of this country.

Secondly; during the PPP’s congress in August 2013; which was held in Region 6, the bridge toll was considerably reduced for certain classes of vehicles; these vehicles were used to transport the supporters of PPP to and from the eastern side of the bridge where the congress was held in Corentyne.

From this information we can conclude that the toll of the bridge can be reduced if the officials who are responsible for this “milking cow” so desire.

Guyanese spoke in 2011, and they would LIKE to be able tpo select their municipal leadership, especially the folks in Georgetown.

By the time you guys get around to hosting LGE 2016 will be there.  Indeed if you continue to dragging your feet on the LGE national elections might have to be delayed.

Now go and cry that your buddy RK;s behavior was so obnoxious that even the Colombia mafia and FARC had to scream at him.

Also lament that all those guns RK brought in for his "employees" are now being used to assault and kill people of ALL RACES in Guyana.

Nehru and Cobra the WORKING CLASS think that the bridge was built for the rich.

I guess the PPP will continue to lose votes in Berbice.  I can well imagine that most of the people interviewed voted at some point in their lives for the PPP...but mightn't in the future. 

Now imagine if some one told them the reason why the toll cant be reduced.  Its because the PPP cronies need their pound of flesh, and if the poor suffer, well serve those who voted PPP in the past right. Too bad for those who didn't.