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 were the dictatorial government for almost three decades. During their reign of terror in government, many investors were forced out and today, under the guise of a new name, the Opposition finds it challenging to curb its propensity to deprive Guyanese of benefits through development. The Opposition clearly does not want to see Guyanese enjoy a better life as were the case when they rule through deprivation.
The Party reiterates that the Berbice River Bridge is a government/private sector/international investors project with specific arrangements which were agreed upon. This arrangement is not unique to Guyana and is a norm in other countries. The PPP-led government, through its vision to bridge the Berbice River has realized a dream for Guyanese, especially Berbicians. This has resulted in real-time travel by removing the extremely time consuming process of crossing with the ferry.
It must be noted that during our country’s journey from bankruptcy to prosperity, our own resources would not have been adequate to meet the demands for development. As such, these Public/Private Sector partnerships became crucial to help deliver the services our people are entitled. Our Party can only conclude that the action of the Opposition with regards to the Berbice River Bridge is viscerally political and intended to chase investors away. Guyanese must remain cognizant that such actions would deprive the country of much needed investments to continue the modernization and provision of services. Without such partnerships, the bridge would not have been realized in the first place. Without investors, jobs would be lost and the economy would contract. Guyanese would stand to lose.
We believe that Guyanese, especially Berbicians, are aware of the circumstances regarding the fare structure of the Berbice River Bridge but are also equally aware of the tremendous transformation through time-saving travel which the bridge has facilitated. The fare structure is no different for a family crossing with a vehicle when they did with the ferries but now with the convenience of crossing at one’s leisure anytime twenty-four hours a day. We call on all Guyanese to remain cognizant of the visionary thrust of our government and for their continued support for these transformative projects. Guyana is a better place today and will be a better place in the future as these projects continue to unfold.
We would like to thank all for their understanding and for us to continue to work together for a better Guyana. We urge that all remain steadfast to the awareness of the attempts of the Opposition to reverse our country and its people’s achievements and to return this now prosperous nation to backwardness and despondency.
