D’Edward Village
THE WORLD BEYOND GEORGETOWN
By SHABNA ULLAH |
DAILY, FEATURES | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2010 Updated: 2:25 am

There has not been the expected increase in businesses at D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice, following the opening of the Berbice River Bridge, but residents said the cost for houses at the location had certainly risen. Residents told this newspaper during a visit there that after most of the snackettes at the Rosignol Ferry Stelling were forced to close they felt there would have been an increase in business in the vicinity of the bridge. After all, they pointed out, the area had become popular and many persons wanted to purchase houses there.


Some of the fishermen with their catch

With the festive season on, stores were stocked with fancy decorations, silk flowers, toys and curtains, as well as walnuts, apples and grapes. Business owners told this newspaper that the items attracted a lot of “window shoppers” but there was hardly any real shopping going on. They noted that in the previous years leading up to the holidays, sales were much better although they hoped that these would still pick up. The reason for the sluggishness, they said, was because the bridge had resulted in the establishment of a lot of new businesses in nearby Rosignol, and they “have more shops than shoppers now.”


The Berbice River Bridge

But one resident told this newspaper that “we willing to buy but we don’t have the money.” She said too that “prices for food items gone up in the shops, so by the time we finish buying that we don’t have money for extra shopping.” D’Edward has a population of about 300 and is dominated by Indian-Guyanese. The village was “very bright” when the Atma Cinema was in operation several years ago, and attracted persons from “all around.” But along with others around the country, it was forced to close several years ago on account of the piracy of movies, among other things.
Residents said that the area had become “dismal”; you never used to hear about D’Edward much. But now the village has regained its popularity “because of the bridge.”


Fazil Khan and Seeta Singh beside their food cart and cooler

They described the village as being “quiet,” noting that villagers were not “rowdy” and shared a good relationship.

Bus park

Residents were not happy with the new arrangement to have the Route 56 bus park at the Rosignol Stelling. They said they used to be able to go out of their homes and catch a bus to take them to New Amsterdam for $300. Now they have to pay an extra $100 to go to the stelling to join a bus and lamented that this was “unfair.”


The D’Edward 2nd Division team in Suriname. At right is team manager Derick Lalsa.

Further, on their return, instead of dropping them off at D’ Edward, the bus would take them to Rosignol again “because the police would charge them if they stop. We end up paying $800 for a return trip just to cross the bridge.” They said because of the exorbitant fares they would “only go to New Amsterdam (NA) when it absolutely necessary.” Besides, they said, “When we go we try to do all we business in one day.” They nevertheless “prefer the bridge to the ferry any day.” Even though they sometimes had to wait a long time to cross with the ferry, they visited NA more often, noting that “the buses take a long time to full; people ain’t crossing…” They paid a fare of $120 for a return trip with the ferry and would visit popular shopping centres and eating places.


A worker opens the koker during the low tide.

Since the bridge, they do their shopping in West Berbice, particularly at Rosignol where an increase in business activities has been observed. Rosignol also has two banks “so we don’t really need to go across the bridge much.” They also observed that there was no public convenience at the park and some men would “urinate all over and make the place stink.”

Vendors


Daveanand Persaud

When this newspaper visited the village last week, the bridge was just opening to traffic after a scheduled closure. A few vendors were walking around selling chips, snow cones and water coconuts to vehicle occupants, while a couple, Fazil Khan and his reputed wife, Seeta Singh had set up a small mobile snackette. Singh said they made pastry, dhal puri, phularie and various items to sell daily, as well as cane juice and other beverages. However, no permanent vending is allowed in the vicinity of the bridge.

Khan said he was employed at the Transport & Harbours Department but because of the bridge, he along with other workers had been sent home “just like that.” He said they had invested in a poultry business but that flopped because large-scale businesspersons from Canje and Albion would come across the bridge and sell chicken at a cheaper price. They could not compete with that market and with the high price for feed they were forced to close the venture. Omesh Saffie who has been selling plantain and sweet potato chips and ‘salt sei’ for the past five years was at the bridge with his basket of chips.


Omar Saffie and Fazil Khan plying their trade during a closure of the Berbice River Bridge

He went around to the vehicles and some of the drivers and passengers purchased from him. But he does not wait at the bridge everyday hoping for a “sale” because “nobody don’t stop and buy.” He started off selling at the Rosignol Stelling where he was “getting good sales,” but activities had slowed down there because of the bridge. Now, he said “it is very hard. I have to ride and sell all over the place and I don’t make much money.”

This newspaper also caught up with vendor, Richard Hargobin, who sells coconuts three days per week. The other days he tends to his kitchen garden. He purchases the coconuts from farmers and “sometimes I clear and sometimes I would lose, but I have to do something to make a living.”
He too gets an increase in sales when the bridge is closed and the traffic builds up. He and his brother, James also assist their mother, ‘Chukun’ Hargobin, a newspaper vendor for several years, to sell her newspapers. Chukun used to sell papers at the Rosignol Stelling but was forced to move close to the bridge. But even there sales are a bit slow.

Fish business

At another spot close to the bridge, a group of men were sitting under a makeshift tent with baskets and buckets. They were selling hassar. They leave home at 4 am to go to the Abary Creek to fish. They would wait until they “get an amount to make a day’s pay before we come out.” That means that they sometimes camp out in the area for about two days. One of the men, Rajin Munshie said that “sometimes the market is rough.” But other times sales would be good.


A snow-cone vendor attends to a customer while waiting on the Berbice River Bridge to open to traffic.

Azad Karim who sets up the tent every day said the prices started from $1,000 per parcel, depending on the size. The business is their main source of income. Over at the three-door koker close to the Berbice Bridge, a few fishermen with their boats moored, had set their seines and were waiting to pull them in. Two workers at the sluice were opening the doors to allow the water to flow in because of the low tide. The fishermen took this reporter on a short trip in a boat as they pulled in a set of seines. They caught some small-sized fish which they stocked in an ice-bucket. Shazim Haniff who owns a small boat said sometimes he and his workers would set off for the deep sea to catch the “big fish” and return around 5 pm. Other times they would have to spend three days before they get enough. The larger boats would spend five days. But the business is not lucrative any more so he and the others prefer to set their seines close to the shore and make do with the little that they catch.


Some of the men selling hassar they caught in the Abary Creek

Kemp Khan who owns six boats said it cost a lot to go out in the deep sea and they were only paid a small price for the fish. He said the middlemen would purchase the fish from them and resell them to the local and export market. He is even doing a business on the side to take tourists out on ‘special’ trips to fish for a few hours. “But ah don’t get that every day,” he said. Over 30 persons are engaged in the fishing business which provides employment for about 60 residents. Some of the other residents are employed in various sections at the Blairmont Estate. During the out-of-crop season, the cane-harvesters would “pull seine in the shallow water for shrimp” for an extra income.

Mud house

Gafiloon Esman, 72 who operates a shop close to the bridge said she has been living at D’ Edward since 1955 and always liked it there. At the time the village was “bushy” with just a few houses and was called after an Englishman who was a manager at the Blairmont Estate. There was no street in the village and the few houses were located close to the brick road. Water from the sea sometimes flowed across the road during the high tide. The area was later surveyed and the first street was built of mud and more persons moved there to live. Gafiloon said her husband, Mohamed Esman, 75, was a rice and cash crop farmer and she worked with him in the backdam after she got married at the age of 17. During the crop time she would take her four “small children” and stay at a camp in the backdam. “We really punished to build life,” she said; “rice work was hard in those days.”

She recalled that they walked for miles to get to the rice field and after the cows “mashed down” the rice they would reap it with grass-knives.
After the crop she and other persons trekked through bushy areas then walked a “good way out to the river spot” with their seines to catch shrimp to sell. The rice was sold to the Guyana Rice Board in Georgetown and was transported by train. Sometimes they paid to mill the rice and sold it for $16 per bag. She lived with her family in four mud houses – building new ones after one was destroyed – which were daubed with “cow dung” to temporarily preserve them. She loved to “tell the young people when they complain that life is hard, that none of them know what punishment is.” After they stopped farming 20 years ago her husband bought a car and started operating a taxi. He also worked at Blairmont Estate as a cane-cutter and then as a tractor operator. For five days her husband was paid $9.45 and if he worked on Sundays he would earn $2 extra. During that time, Gafiloon did trading in Trinidad and would “walk and sell” grocery items for three years until she established the shop. ‘Aunty Gafi’ as she is fondly known, stopped the interview several times to tend to customers, most of who were from two private schools in the village. She said her shop is always busy since she started to sell cell phone cards. She told this newspaper that the bridge had not impacted on her business as much as expected.

Kettin

Daveanand Persaud, a sign artist/electrician told this newspaper that the village had a stretch of land that was referred to as Kettin, and was thought to be government reserve. He said that in the ’60s when persons from Mahaicony and other villages were displaced they squatted on portions of the land. “It so happened at that in 1976 when the slogan, ‘Feed, Clothe and House’ the nation came out, the local authority regularized the area and gave persons permission to stay on the land,” he said. In 1990 officials from the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary scheme visited the area and informed them that the land belonged to the Guyana Congregational Union. They thereafter purchased the land and obtained transports for it. The area is still known as D’Edward Kettin. Residents said the village became “populated in a jiffy” with several other businesses being established including, the Circuit City Internet café, auto sales, Chinese restaurant, three insurance companies, photo studio, welding shop, Bill Direct and a travel agency.

Social problems

One resident informed this newspaper that youths from one section of the village, known as ‘Crazytown’ were engaged in drug and alcohol abuse and gambling. He was not sure what could be done to stop them but knew that they “cannot carry on like that.” According to him, “most of the persons are cane-cutters and drinking is their hobby.” He described how the weekend before the last, while some of the youths were gambling a fight broke out between them. One went away and returned with his friends to “beat up the others and even threw the wife of one of the victims in the trench.” The matter ended up in the courts, but at the time the police were unable to find the person who started the fight, the resident said. He said there was also a problem with school dropouts and unemployment. The man also expressed the view that some parents did not have control over their children and were to be blamed for most of their negative activities as they got older. He felt that government should offer programmes to sensitize parents about bringing up their children in the right way.

Sports club

Derick Lalsa, owner of Lalsa’s General Store told this newspaper that many of the other youths were engaged in positive activities at the D’Edward Sports Club and were kept “out of trouble.” Lalsa is the chairman of the club and manager of the cricket team, made up of under15, 17 and 19 and 2nd Division (senior) players. The senior team recently returned from Suriname after competing in the national team in that country and emerging victorious. He said they went there for a “return match” after first beating them at the Providence Stadium. He said proudly that his son, Derick Jr had won the “player of the tournament” trophy and had also top scored with 181 runs for a school match. Lalsa thanked Ministers Frank Anthony, Priya Manickchand and Robert Persaud, as well as King’s Jewellery World, Buddy Shivraj, Fazal Mahmood and Dr Kester Sullivan for making the trip possible. He said the club was waiting on the Berbice Cricket Board to elevate them to 1st Division status and wanted to know the reason for the delay. He related that they had been winning all the tournaments since 1996. He said some of the youths who were not involved in the club would jump the fence and destroy the pavilion and parents would “just leave them to do what they want.” The club has a swing and is looking for sponsorship for a “see-saw.” It also assists five youths to attend school; they had dropped out because of poverty. He said, “When the management took over the club in 1994, the ground was like a pasture.” They subsequently acquired the funds to purchase 40 truckloads of reef sand and with the help of the Blairmont Estate they were able to level and roll the ground.

The President’s Youth Choice Initiative provided the club with a ‘bleacher’ and they approached the Social Impact Amelioration Programme (SIMAP) to assist with a multi-purpose centre, which was approved. But first the club had to raise $842,000, most of which Lalsa contributed. Derick Jr also contributed all the equipment for the club’s gym. Food for the Poor also provided four sewing machines. Lalsa mentioned too that a resident, Frankie Tulsi, donated a tennis table and equipment to the centre and Billy’s Electronic supplied a television and VCR. The club also “worked its way up” to purchase a large refrigerator to sell beverages. He expressed gratitude to Banks DIH (Premium Beer) for adopting the club and ‘Donald’ of Canada for providing the members with uniforms.

Source

The world beyoud Georgetown…New Amsterdam
By SHABNA ULLAH |
FEATURES, SUNDAY | SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 2011

New Amsterdam (NA) which no longer bustles with the same degree of activity as in the days before the bridge went into operation is seeing development through the Town Council and the Region Six administration. The town which has a population of about 35,000 stretches from the end of the Canje Bridge at Sheet Anchor to Glasgow Housing Scheme. Although the Glasgow scheme and other villages, including Gay Park and Providence are located along the East Bank of Ber-bice, they have been included in the NA Town Council (TC) since in the 1970s. NA is made up of a number of business places, government offices, schools, churches, a police station, a state-of-the-art hospital as well as the National Psychiatric Hospital and the prison which also houses the only female penitentiary in the country.


NA stelling

Services are provided by the telephone companies, the market, internet cafés, hairdressing salons, insurance companies, mechanic shops, various stores, sawmills and three banks: Scotiabank, Republic Bank and the New Building Society. The hospitality industry in the town is well represented in the form of hotels, including Church View International, Little Rock Suites, Penguin and Parkway. There are too a number of restaurants and fast food outlets like La Caribe Diner, Church’s Chicken, Chesters and Demico House. Residents also benefit from a potable supply of water from the Water Treatment Plant located at Stanleytown.


Henry's Workshop

There are several schools including the New Amsterdam Secondary, Berbice High, Berbice Educational Institute, St Therese’s and All Saints Primary schools as well as the New Amsterdam Technical Institute. Most of the students from West Berbice who attend schools in NA along with some nurses and other workers prefer to cross daily with the ferry which operates in the mornings and afternoons. It costs them just $120 return fare instead of $600 to cross the bridge.

President of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association, Gyandat Marray said that for the town to be developed economically more industries would have to be established. That, he said would help in the creation of more jobs. Businesses in the town depend heavily on the sugar estates where many persons from around Berbice are employed. Other places which provide employment include government and private entities, and the Oldendorff Bauxite Company. Marray recalled that the Berbice Mining Company which was closed a few years ago provided employment for several residents.


Town council

The town also has two machining shops that are owned by fabricators William Henry on Republic Road and Sam Hughes at Strand, NA. At Henry’s workshop about 12 youths are undergoing six months’ training as welders, mechanics and fitter machinists through the Ministry of Home Affairs/Inter-American Development Bank’s Citizens’ Security Reform Project. Henry told this newspaper that the training is a positive step for the youths who are part of the second batch, as it would help to keep them out of trouble. He noted that a lot of youths in the town are unemployed and hoped that upon completion of the training his apprentices would be able to earn a livelihood. His son, Hillary who assists in the training said the youths would undergo two hours of counselling weekly on topics such as drug and child abuse. He said that during the fifth month a new batch of students would join the present set. At the end of the six-month training they leave with a certificate and the skills to face the world of work.

State of town


Hotel Church View

Marray feels that “the performance of the town council is poor. It can do more to assist businesses like enforcing regulations and keeping the town clean. They should also assist in providing land to persons who want to invest.” According to him the chamber’s efforts to represent businesspersons have been unsuccessful and he looked forward to “local government elections so that a new council can do a better job.” Imam of the NA Mosque, Mohamed Haniff feels that “the infrastructure of the town has deteriorated immensely over a 25-year period.” He said too that, “The services that the town council offered were better before… The conditions now are very atrocious. There is hardly any routine garbage collection.” In addition, he went on, the drainage system in the town has become obsolete and the entire system would have to be restructured. He said the immediate drainage systems should be properly cleaned and there should be more outlets leading to the river. While many persons said that the location of the bridge had resulted in a reduction in the number of businesses, Haniff did not share that view. He also felt that “nothing is wrong with that location of the bridge engineering wise and for that type of structure.”


Mohamed Haniff

NA, he said, was always known to be a quiet town; the people are friendly and “there is always a good relationship among residents.” With elections coming up, “we always know that people can be very apprehensive in terms of violence… but that does not happen in New Amsterdam.” However, he thought that crime has increased in some of the depressed communities where there is a more active trade in narcotics. A senior police officer in Berbice told this newspaper though that “overall, the crime rate has reduced by 14%.” He said that for this year there have been three murders in the town with two persons being convicted; 11 gun robberies with three convictions; and six robberies where knives and cutlasses were used. In addition, there have been two larcenies from the person; four rape cases with two convictions; one burglary and 30 cases of break and enter and larceny for which there were five convictions.

Developments


Gyandatt Marray

The town is made up of three main roads – Main St, Strand and Republic Road – as well as a number of cross streets. Strand is bounded by the Berbice River to the west while to the east of Republic Road is Vryman’s Erven where the regional office and Little Rock Television Station (LRTVS) are located. Beyond that area is the depressed Angoy’s Avenue community which the government is in the process of developing with good streets and a water supply.

In an interview, Chairman of Region Six, Zulfikar Mustapha said, “we have a genuine concern to improve the lives of residents and we are constructing a brand new health centre in Angoy’s Avenue.” He said the region has also approached the Guyana Power & Light to provide electricity to residents. He hoped that an injunction that the co-op responsible for the area served to prevent the region from doing work in the area would be withdrawn. According to him the region has also been investing a lot of money in roads and drains in other sections of the town including Smythfield and Stanleytown.


Angellina Collins

The authorities have also started to develop the playground at Burnham Park and are expected to spend about $5M to develop one at Tucber Park. Mustapha accused the TC of neglecting the town because of a failure to give the government a plot of land for the establishment of an industrial site. “It seems as though they have no interest in the town because they wanted the region to purchase the land when they [TC] would have been collecting the revenue.” Further, he felt that the mayor, Claude Henry is “playing politics and is not taking up his responsibility towards the residents of NA.” He said the TC neglected the primary works in the town to keep the canals clean and that the region has been doing it.

The region has provided the TC with drainage and irrigation workers “but they are not being supervised properly,” the chairman said. He was happy with the co-operation from the town clerk, Angelina Collins, though. He said the Ministry of Housing recently developed a new scheme at Glasgow and handed it over to the council. “But the residents feel that the council is not sustaining the work that was done and they want the NDC [Neighbourhood Democratic Council] to take care of the infrastructure.”


Pavement vending

He was optimistic that following the local government elections a “progressive set of councillors would be elected to head the town.” Meanwhile, he said the “future of the town looks good to me. The town is on the move and is in a developmental mode where a lot of investments are being made. As long as there are investments there would be more jobs.” He said too that a deep water harbour is being built in the Canje area and was confident that when completed it would boost the economy.

Mayor of NA, Claude Henry told the Sunday Stabroek that the TC does not have a problem with the regional administration assisting in developing the town. “This community contributes billions of dollars in revenue.” he said, “and it is expected that governments give back to the communities. All governments in any country do repairs to roads.” He was of the view though that “the streets that the region is fixing are not being done up to standard and would start to deteriorate very fast.” The Mayor was offended that the regional administration had claimed that the council gets $13 million per year when in fact, it gets “$10 million in two parts.” “When we finished utilizing one we account for that and the other part is released. We have a work programme that we work with and that was approved by the [Local Government] Minister…” “Apart from that, the regional engineer, for whatever reason comes to supervise our work and presents a report to the minister…” He does not know if the engineer has to supervise the council but lamented that “the council is supposed to be autonomous… but we cannot operate as we
really should.”


Remains of old hospital

He pointed out that the money collected from the municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) is not enough; it is too little. Further, he said that the rates and taxes collected for the town have not been increased since 1975, and while valuation was done it is still waiting to be approved by the President. The council has been doing some work including maintaining the streets, structures and garbage collection with the limited resources. In relation to the engineer, Mustapha responded that the “region has never intervened in their [TC’s] work but when they request help then we would assist.”

The Mayor said a Bobcat excavator which was recently acquired would help to tackle the flood situation. He said persons block the drainage systems by dumping indiscriminately in the drains and waterways. Flooding was also a result of the river defences which break down at times and Henry said that is the responsibility of the government. He noted too that the town has grown from the time it was established and a little flooding cannot be avoided. He mentioned that someone had placed a pipe under the road in Angoy’s Avenue causing water from that area to flow into the nearby Vryman’s Erven, which is a low area.

Solid waste

Collins told this newspaper that they are using the excavator to desilt the main drainage, starting from the outfalls. This she said would take some time to complete owing to the volume of work. The TC is “trying to maintain the infrastructure” and is also “constantly battling with the solid waste collection; we are working towards improving that.” It is also trying to acquire a Bobcat loader to assist with clearing the road shoulders and other areas of garbage. She mentioned the restoration committee that was recently launched to rehabilitate the tower on the TC building which was in a deplorable state. Work is also being done to enhance the conditions at the municipal abattoir. The amount of animals that were slaughtered at the abattoir has reduced drastically, the town clerk said. A new abattoir which the Local Government Ministry constructed a few years ago was said to be too small and was never used. Vandals have since removed the roof and fittings. That building is expected to be renovated so that pigs could be slaughtered there separately. The Town Clerk related that zinc sheets on the old building had to be strapped with steel rods to prevent vandalism. A water facility is also being installed. She explained that the TC is also maintaining the dumpsite so persons can have easy access to it and avoid dumping in the drains and road shoulders. There is also a problem with persons of unsound mind emptying garbage bins that are placed in front of the market and on the pavements.


Police station

The council is appealing to residents to pay up their taxes because it is “limited with the collections.” Acknowledging that street vending is a major hindrance to businesses, she said the council is in the process of renovating the “back market” to accommodate the vendors. Work on that section, she said, started last year and should be completed this year. Meanwhile, another building that the TC constructed several years ago along the stelling road as a ‘Christmas in April’ project has remained a ‘white elephant.’ This was due to a court battle with a businessman over ownership of the land.

Business in the old days

A prominent resident of the town, Gregory Rambarran of Dave’s Television (DTV) Channel 8 of Main and St Ann Streets remembered the “good ole days” of some business places. He reminisced that “those were the days when you could have walked into a restaurant and get a bowl of soup or rice for free.” You could have also gotten a little butter for your bread, if you asked.
Like other residents, he mentioned that A. Ally & Sons General Store which has a large warehouse and four branches across Berbice is the most prominent business in the town. Other main businesses include furniture stores, boutiques, restaurants and fast food outlets like Demico House, Chesters and Church’s Chicken.

He pointed to an old building across the road that belonged to the Coddettes and where a popular snackette was operated called ‘Mommy Coddette Parlour.’ That snackette which was the first to obtain machines for popcorn, parched nuts and ice cream was also famous for burgers and peanut punch. It also had the first bingo and lottery machines. The Coddettes also operated the Circle Sea Bar in a separate building at the back. After that was closed the La Carib Diner, owned by Albert De Nobrega was opened there. That restaurant later relocated to a roadside spot and the building now houses the Jokwesan Creole Restaurant. That was named after the Williams’ family members, John, Kwesi and Sandra – a former home economics student. Homemade bread is also served at the restaurant.

Opposite DTV 8 is a branch of Courts Furniture Store and according to Rambarran, the Chu’s Furniture Store and later Geddes Grant used to be housed there. He also recalled that the building which Metro Office Supplies occupies was once the Gaiety Cinema. Further, he said St Ann Street. was referred to as ‘Chinee Lane’ because a number of Chinese Nationals lived there. The DTV 8 building was owned by Haa Yun who operated a printery. A section of the building also housed Khan’s Racing Service which had a pinball machine. His father, David Rambarran, the founder of Dave’s Portrait Studio relocated to that spot in 1966. David was a pioneer in black and white portrait photography, and he also processed photographs in his lab. He later started adding colour to the pictures by hand through a technique called ‘photo tint.’ The elder Rambarran specialized in family, especially toddler, photography and also made postcards.

Rambarran, an artist and former teacher along with his brothers assisted their father in running the business. He started adding graphics to photos by hand until the advent of computers. He also started video productions in 1983. The DTV Channel 8 station was opened in December 1993 but in 1991 he voiced the first local video commercial that was aired on Little Rock Television Station in Berbice. That, he recalled was for a committee to restore the old New Amsterdam Hospital which has now fallen to pieces. In January 1994 he started and anchored the first local newscast. He also produced a monthly review and then the weekly review one month later followed by the daily New Digest. According to Rambarran his daily newscast was started one month after the Evening News that was aired by VCT, while LRTV started one month after him. He also produced local documentaries, featuring famous landmarks in Berbice including the old hospital. The same year (1994) he transmitted the first live show in honour of the first anniversary of Courts Furniture Store.

Source

Berbice Bridge wipes out stelling vendors
FEBRUARY 6, 2011 | BY KNEWS | FILED UNDER NEWS

Some three years after the opening of the Berbice River Bridge, persons who operated businesses and shops along Matthew Allen Road, New Amsterdam and at the Rosignol Stelling roads are feeling the squeeze even more to earn a daily living.

When Kaieteur News visited the New Amsterdam side earlier this week, what used to be the hustle and bustle of Matthew Allen Road is now akin to a ghost town. Where crowds of people once gathered at the corner of the many snack shops and beer bars, today just a person or two can be seen reading a newspaper or smoking a cigarette. Indeed, life has changed for the vendors and shop owners some three years after the bridge.

Indeed, life has changed drastically for these two thoroughfares– New Amsterdam and Rosignol Stelling Roads. There is no need for persons to visit these areas, ever since the Berbice River Bridge was commissioned and opened in December 2008. All or most traffic now traverse the bridge. While life has become much easier for some who find it easier and faster to use the much-touted floating bridge, life for the snackette vendors has become a living hell. It was observed that the majority of the huts and snackettes along the two stelling roads have been closed down. It was evident that the owners had given up on making a living there. Perhaps they operated a few months after the ferries stopped operating and observed that they were not doing any kind of business, so they packed up and left, leaving the their stalls as stark reminders of what once went on there.
There are just about five businesses operating on the New Amsterdam side while just three or so operate on the other side of the river. There were dozens of businesses on both sides prior to December 2008.

Just over two years later, tensions are still high. Snackette owners are still furious with the authorities for not putting them somewhere else to sell or ensuring that they had another means to earn their daily bread. They had been promised other locations to operate their snackettes in 2008 even after the authorities has spoken with them, even took photographs of their shops. “This Berbice bridge killed the whole Berbice,” one shop owner said. She said that a few vendors had remained after the bridge opened. She said that she remained because, “I gotta hustle still; I get a mortgage to pay.” She said she has been doing 90 per cent less business since the bridge opened. “Whole day you here and you ain’t even sell $5,000”, she lamented. One other snackette owner posited that the Avinash chain store located on the same ferry road is suffering immensely. When Kaieteur News went into the store, one could count the number of persons shopping inside on the fingers of one hand. One customer representative was at the entrance and seemed to be on the look out for customers.

The scene on the Rosignol side was no different. Save for a beer garden that was located some distance from the Rosignol Ferry Stelling and some music that was playing there, that area seemed abandoned as well. Huge padlocks and bars on what used to be snackettes and stalls greeted the eye.
Sisto’s Snackette on the Rosignol side is still open for business. Egg balls, hamburgers, channa , soft drinks and beers can still be had from there. But where are the customers? The scene is common to other snack shops, there are no customers.

The stellings are still used today, since the pontoon service operates thrice per day for school children and workers but the vendors said that this is not enough to give their businesses the economic jolt they so badly need. Life remains a daily struggle for the mostly housewives and single mothers who continue in the face of adversity to make a living on the two stelling roads in Berbice, even where the prospects of such are dim. (Leon Suseran)

Source

Gerhard, about a year ago Charrandass Persaud wrote a very informative letter to either SN or KN regarding the structural 'gifts' given to the people of Berbice by the government, when it is actually their right because of the taxes they pay.
Are you able to post it here ?

quote:

Originally posted by Tola:
Gerhard, about a year ago Charrandass Persaud wrote a very informative letter to either SN or KN regarding the structural 'gifts' given to the people of Berbice by the government, when it is actually their right because of the taxes they pay.
Are you able to post it here ?

Can you point me to the letter? I would certainly post it here.

Berbice infrastructure is not a gift but a government obligation
By STABROEK STAFF |
LETTERS | TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2010

Dear Editor,

It is almost disgusting to listen to someone from the government, whether it is the regional chairman, a minister or the president, give a public address in Berbice. On every occasion we have to hear that ‘this government gave you the university at Tain; we gave you the Berbice Bridge and we also gave you the Skeldon factory.’

Let me say that these are structures which were erected during the reign of the PPP/C, but are they gifts to Berbicians? These are obligations a government had to fulfil to a section of the country that has been neglected for too long. These are not handouts, and so the saying, ‘Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth’ does not apply.

A car or small vehicle has to pay $2200, that is US$11 to cross the Berbice Bridge. (I will leave the other charges for other vehicles out of this discussion to make it simple.) A while ago a certain senior government official was on a TV programme and I called in to mention that the cost of crossing the Berbice Bridge was more than twice the cost of crossing the George Washington Bridge between New Jersey and New York, and the people in Guyana do not earn half as much as the people in New York. The official said that we should not come from America and expect to have things here the same way they are in New York. Such a silly answer.

Are we supposed to feel good that we are paying so much to cross the Berbice River but be thrilled that we do not have to wait as long as we used to when we had to use the ferry? It is just one hundred dollars to cross the Demerara River. The inconvenience to other travellers is surfacing every day. There are no facilities for pedestrians or cyclists, and the geniuses who thought of putting the bridge in place never batted an eyelid over the cars and buses that ply the route. Why is there no bus stop or car park anywhere near the access road? Then instead of looking at that as an afterthought the government is building a gas station at a bend that is very dangerous – the seawall turn. We have to be lucky to have a bridge across the Berbice River.

Oh, we also have UG. It is a campus that is still struggling to get lecturers to make a diploma programme practical. Anyone who wants a degree, well we have UG at Tain, but you have to go to Turkeyen for your degree. Is there a technology programme at Tain? Of course it is the one we are dreaming of. And do not forget that our dream of having a branch of UG in Berbice has become a reality. So let’s keep on dreaming of a degree or technology programme here also.

How about the state-of-the-art factory at Skeldon? State-of-the-art it is. I visited that place and I was amazed at the technology that is in place there. It is a powerful factory but what are we to do with it? We do not have the cane to keep it running, and the electricity it generates can’t be passed to the grids that supply Berbice because the proper lines and other power distributing facilities are not in place. Then god-brother, GPL, just decided to shut down Canefield and Onverwagt generating stations. The result? With all the state-of-the-art equipment Berbicians are now privileged to have more un-announced and frequent blackouts than before the introduction of this state-of-the-art factory.

As an aside this government is bent on setting up structures and roads and all the things that look good for the forthcoming election, and our roaming president even defended the Amaila Falls road at the recent Oslo conference in Norway. Sounds good. Here is a trick question. Do we have the funding to build a hydro-electric plant there? Or do we have any potential investor who will set up this generating station? Just a thought.

This government ought to behave as if it has an obligation to the people and not be carried away or emotionally thrilled when something is done in Berbice. Any infrastructure development is not a gift; it is fulfilling an obligation.

Yours faithfully,
Charrandass Persaud

Source

quote:

Originally posted by Gerhard Ramsaroop:

quote:

Originally posted by Tola:
Gerhard, about a year ago Charrandass Persaud wrote a very informative letter to either SN or KN regarding the structural 'gifts' given to the people of Berbice by the government, when it is actually their right because of the taxes they pay.
Are you able to post it here ?

Can you point me to the letter? I would certainly post it here.

Thanks Gerhard, you just posted it.

quote:

Originally posted by Tola: Thanks Gerhard, you just posted it.

Some days I move swift

quote:

Originally posted by Gerhard Ramsaroop:

quote:

Originally posted by Tola: Thanks Gerhard, you just posted it.

Some days I move swift

Under the PPP Gov't The Berbice Bridge was built and this is a relief to all Berbicians!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Chief:
Under the PPP Gov't The Berbice Bridge was built and this is a relief to all Berbicians!!!

Hail the Chief!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Gerhard Ramsaroop:
Berbice infrastructure is not a gift but a government obligation
By STABROEK STAFF |
LETTERS | TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2010

Dear Editor,

It is almost disgusting to listen to someone from the government, whether it is the regional chairman, a minister or the president, give a public address in Berbice. On every occasion we have to hear that ‘this government gave you the university at Tain; we gave you the Berbice Bridge and we also gave you the Skeldon factory.’

Let me say that these are structures which were erected during the reign of the PPP/C, but are they gifts to Berbicians? These are obligations a government had to fulfil to a section of the country that has been neglected for too long. These are not handouts, and so the saying, ‘Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth’ does not apply.

A car or small vehicle has to pay $2200, that is US$11 to cross the Berbice Bridge. (I will leave the other charges for other vehicles out of this discussion to make it simple.) A while ago a certain senior government official was on a TV programme and I called in to mention that the cost of crossing the Berbice Bridge was more than twice the cost of crossing the George Washington Bridge between New Jersey and New York, and the people in Guyana do not earn half as much as the people in New York. The official said that we should not come from America and expect to have things here the same way they are in New York. Such a silly answer.

Are we supposed to feel good that we are paying so much to cross the Berbice River but be thrilled that we do not have to wait as long as we used to when we had to use the ferry? It is just one hundred dollars to cross the Demerara River. The inconvenience to other travellers is surfacing every day. There are no facilities for pedestrians or cyclists, and the geniuses who thought of putting the bridge in place never batted an eyelid over the cars and buses that ply the route. Why is there no bus stop or car park anywhere near the access road? Then instead of looking at that as an afterthought the government is building a gas station at a bend that is very dangerous – the seawall turn. We have to be lucky to have a bridge across the Berbice River.

Oh, we also have UG. It is a campus that is still struggling to get lecturers to make a diploma programme practical. Anyone who wants a degree, well we have UG at Tain, but you have to go to Turkeyen for your degree. Is there a technology programme at Tain? Of course it is the one we are dreaming of. And do not forget that our dream of having a branch of UG in Berbice has become a reality. So let’s keep on dreaming of a degree or technology programme here also.

How about the state-of-the-art factory at Skeldon? State-of-the-art it is. I visited that place and I was amazed at the technology that is in place there. It is a powerful factory but what are we to do with it? We do not have the cane to keep it running, and the electricity it generates can’t be passed to the grids that supply Berbice because the proper lines and other power distributing facilities are not in place. Then god-brother, GPL, just decided to shut down Canefield and Onverwagt generating stations. The result? With all the state-of-the-art equipment Berbicians are now privileged to have more un-announced and frequent blackouts than before the introduction of this state-of-the-art factory.

As an aside this government is bent on setting up structures and roads and all the things that look good for the forthcoming election, and our roaming president even defended the Amaila Falls road at the recent Oslo conference in Norway. Sounds good. Here is a trick question. Do we have the funding to build a hydro-electric plant there? Or do we have any potential investor who will set up this generating station? Just a thought.

This government ought to behave as if it has an obligation to the people and not be carried away or emotionally thrilled when something is done in Berbice. Any infrastructure development is not a gift; it is fulfilling an obligation.

Yours faithfully,
Charrandass Persaud

Source

Obviously Charrandass Persaud is not a very thoughtful person. He/she look to throw stones without the proper analysis. For the Bbice bridge toll to match the tolls of GW in NY, the volume of traffic would have to match. This is why the cost is so high, not enough customers to leverage economies of scale.
Without outside investors many of these projects would not get accomplished. This is this is the correct model, let the infrastructure be developed based on profitability rather than burdening the country with huge debts.

quote:

Originally posted by BGurd_See: This is this is the correct model, let the infrastructure be developed based on profitability rather than burdening the country with huge debts.

Wow - so in the end the infrastructure itself will stymie development - what a perfect development model you have come up with. Can you tell me where else in the world this was ever successfully done?

quote:

Originally posted by Gerhard Ramsaroop:
I am beginning a new thread on this topic. Can we please post everything pertaining to the Berbice Bridge here?

The PPP beats its chest and proclaims it as a fulfilled promise, when the reality is that is has made the lives of the poor and dispossessed even harder. This is such a travesty...one that did not even occur under Forbes Burnham.

is the AFC saying the bridge was a bad idea?

quote:

Originally posted by antabanta:

quote:

Originally posted by Gerhard Ramsaroop:
I am beginning a new thread on this topic. Can we please post everything pertaining to the Berbice Bridge here?

The PPP beats its chest and proclaims it as a fulfilled promise, when the reality is that is has made the lives of the poor and dispossessed even harder. This is such a travesty...one that did not even occur under Forbes Burnham.

is the AFC saying the bridge was a bad idea?

Not a bridge to Berbice, antabanta. But this PPP bridge.

Firstly, because of its type, it will slow the flow of the Berbice River leading to increased siltation - much more than in the Demerara which today is the cause of the flooding we experience. Look at what happened in the Kwakwani in the recent rains - this will get much worse in the years to come.

Secondly, the location bypasses New Amsterdam, and were it more downriver where a high-span bridge could be constructed, it would be of great benefit to the communities on both banks - which just happen to be mainly black communities.

Thirdly, the type of partnership the Gov't entered in to build the bridge, that assures the investors of specific returns, works against the development of Berbice in general and poor people in particular. And when I say works against, I mean as opposed to a cheaper model whereby the tolls are for maintenance costs and not to recoup the investment. As is the bridge definitely has pluses, but these could have been more. Like everything under the PPP - it is not that nothing has been done, but that more could and should have been done.

Fourthly, for those who say the Gov't had no choice but to enter into a partnership because of a lack of funds, I say just look at the Gov't's willingness to invest with Marriott. What is more important? And what is more important to the working class of Guyana? As is, many feel the partnership was only to reward those the Gov't are associated with - CLICO.

As is too, we understand the PPP now realises that the bridge will have to be moved...to facilitate a deep water harbour...and this is how the PPP plans...cart before the horse - just typical. smh

So the type of bridge is bad, the location is bad, it doesn't support economic growth in New Amsterdam, the financing (partnership) is bad. What's good about the bridge? Is anyone using it and what do they have to say about it?

quote:

Originally posted by antabanta:
So the type of bridge is bad, the location is bad, it doesn't support economic growth in New Amsterdam, the financing (partnership) is bad. What's good about the bridge? Is anyone using it and what do they have to say about it?

This is what I said - seems you missed this part: "As is the bridge definitely has pluses, but these could have been more. Like everything under the PPP - it is not that nothing has been done, but that more could and should have been done."

Please see: http://guyanafriends.com/eve/f...604972/m/92220651051

That will give you an idea of what the people say.

quote:

Originally posted by Gerhard Ramsaroop:

quote:

Originally posted by antabanta:
So the type of bridge is bad, the location is bad, it doesn't support economic growth in New Amsterdam, the financing (partnership) is bad. What's good about the bridge? Is anyone using it and what do they have to say about it?

This is what I said - seems you missed this part: "As is the bridge definitely has pluses, but these could have been more. Like everything under the PPP - it is not that nothing has been done, but that more could and should have been done."

I didn't miss it. What are the pluses?

quote:

Originally posted by antabanta: I didn't miss it. What are the pluses?

That for those who can afford it, there is no more hassle with the ferry. And that there is an increase in commerce.

quote:

Originally posted by antabanta:
So the type of bridge is bad, the location is bad, it doesn't support economic growth in New Amsterdam, the financing (partnership) is bad. What's good about the bridge? Is anyone using it and what do they have to say about it?

Chalk this travesty to the champion of the earth and his possession of executive authority and his desire to do so without broader consultation of those who actually know. A bridge by the turn in the river would have facilitated growth on both sides of the river, dispossessed no one and it could have been a single span suspension bridge with no impact on the river dynamics. Access roads and infrastructure to bring in soil etc already existed in the area.


If we get them out of office that is the first thing we should contemplate and forget BOOTing it by "investors" ( that means crooks and coneys); there are other ways of doing it without putting us in debt. The AFC needs to highlight this as a campaign promise to people in the area.

quote:

Originally posted by D2:

quote:

Originally posted by antabanta:
So the type of bridge is bad, the location is bad, it doesn't support economic growth in New Amsterdam, the financing (partnership) is bad. What's good about the bridge? Is anyone using it and what do they have to say about it?

Chalk this travesty to the champion of the earth and his possession of executive authority and his desire to do so without broader consultation of those who actually know. A bridge by the turn in the river would have facilitated growth on both sides of the river, dispossessed no one and it could have been a single span suspension bridge with no impact on the river dynamics. Access roads and infrastructure to bring in soil etc already existed in the area.


If we get them out of office that is the first thing we should contemplate and forget BOOTing it by "investors" ( that means crooks and coneys); there are other ways of doing it without putting us in debt. The AFC needs to highlight this as a campaign promise to people in the area.

And the Berbice Bridge can be recycled. The spans can be used as shorter bridges wherever required throughout the country, and the pontoons sold off to the mining sector.

quote:

Originally posted by Gerhard Ramsaroop:

quote:

Originally posted by D2:

quote:

Originally posted by antabanta:
So the type of bridge is bad, the location is bad, it doesn't support economic growth in New Amsterdam, the financing (partnership) is bad. What's good about the bridge? Is anyone using it and what do they have to say about it?

Chalk this travesty to the champion of the earth and his possession of executive authority and his desire to do so without broader consultation of those who actually know. A bridge by the turn in the river would have facilitated growth on both sides of the river, dispossessed no one and it could have been a single span suspension bridge with no impact on the river dynamics. Access roads and infrastructure to bring in soil etc already existed in the area.


If we get them out of office that is the first thing we should contemplate and forget BOOTing it by "investors" ( that means crooks and coneys); there are other ways of doing it without putting us in debt. The AFC needs to highlight this as a campaign promise to people in the area.

And the Berbice Bridge can be recycled. The spans can be used as shorter bridges wherever required throughout the country, and the pontoons sold off to the mining sector.

The contract unfortunately may include a "no more bridges" to undercut their profits!

A legal way will have to be found around this and since we should not hold our development to the profit margins of others.

quote:

Originally posted by D2: The contract unfortunately may include a "no more bridges" to undercut their profits!

A legal way will have to be found around this and since we should not hold our development to the profit margins of others.

You are absolutely right.

quote:

Originally posted by D2:

quote:

Originally posted by Gerhard Ramsaroop:

And the Berbice Bridge can be recycled. The spans can be used as shorter bridges wherever required throughout the country, and the pontoons sold off to the mining sector.

The contract unfortunately may include a "no more bridges" to undercut their profits!

A legal way will have to be found around this and since we should not hold our development to the profit margins of others.

I am smiling from ear to ear here! Just look how ready the AFC is to take the reins of office and put our country back on track!

Instead of expended taxpayers money on laptops it should be used to pay the creditors of the Berbice Bridge early and thus make crossing more affordable.

quote:

Originally posted by Rahmah bin Jabr:
Instead of expended taxpayers money on laptops it should be used to pay the creditors of the Berbice Bridge early and thus make crossing more affordable.

Fortuynately, we owe them very little if any. The Guyanese people built the access roads to the tune of 16 million. Their NIS was used to leverage the capital as these creeps put in zilch. We simply take back our property and pay them their management fees plus whatever they put in as capital at going rates of interest or let them compete with our new bridge if they want to play hard ball. This bridge is killing the people. It is not to our benefit so we cannot let the BOOT scheme stand as it is. This is not the bridge they initially said will be build. This is too heavy a tax on the people. Why should anyone pay an average of two days work at Guyanese rates to cross a bridge! that is preposterous if not straight up evil.

quote:

Originally posted by D2: Fortuynately, we owe them very little if any. The Guyanese people built the access roads to the tune of 16 million. Their NIS was used to leverage the capital as these creeps put in zilch. We simply take back our property and pay them their management fees plus whatever they put in as capital at going rates of interest or let them compete with our new bridge if they want to play hard ball. This bridge is killing the people. It is not to our benefit so we cannot let the BOOT scheme stand as it is. This is not the bridge they initially said will be build. This is too heavy a tax on the people. Why should anyone pay an average of two days work at Guyanese rates to cross a bridge! that is preposterous if not straight up evil.

You creeps always want something for nothing. This was the only way Guyana could finance this bridge without going into enormous debt. It is a model that is truly capitalist. If the bridge is too expensive, there is always the opportunity for speed boat operators to ply their trade. Wherever there is an issue always exist an opportunity. The problem is not with the bridge but rather the traffic flow which is too sparse to leverage economies of scale. The mortgage has to be paid and if the flow of vehicles are not enough to cover the cost then price will have to increase and this is what happened. Now stop your complaining and suck it up as you do in the US when you pay a huge chunk of SSN, Medicare, Fica, UI Federal, State taxes to pay for all that we enjoy in this country. Like I always say, you pay for what you get. hahhahahha

quote:

Originally posted by BGurd_See:

quote:

Originally posted by D2: Fortuynately, we owe them very little if any. The Guyanese people built the access roads to the tune of 16 million. Their NIS was used to leverage the capital as these creeps put in zilch. We simply take back our property and pay them their management fees plus whatever they put in as capital at going rates of interest or let them compete with our new bridge if they want to play hard ball. This bridge is killing the people. It is not to our benefit so we cannot let the BOOT scheme stand as it is. This is not the bridge they initially said will be build. This is too heavy a tax on the people. Why should anyone pay an average of two days work at Guyanese rates to cross a bridge! that is preposterous if not straight up evil.

You creeps always want something for nothing. This was the only way Guyana could finance this bridge without going into enormous debt. It is a model that is truly capitalist. If the bridge is too expensive, there is always the opportunity for speed boat operators to ply their trade. Wherever there is an issue always exist an opportunity. The problem is not with the bridge but rather the traffic flow which is too sparse to leverage economies of scale. The mortgage has to be paid and if the flow of vehicles are not enough to cover the cost then price will have to increase and this is what happened. Now stop your complaining and suck it up as you do in the US when you pay a huge chunk of SSN, Medicare, Fica, UI Federal, State taxes to pay for all that we enjoy in this country. Like I always say, you pay for what you get. hahhahahha

You truely missed the boat.

quote:

Originally posted by BGurd_See:

quote:

Originally posted by D2: Fortuynately, we owe them very little if any. The Guyanese people built the access roads to the tune of 16 million. Their NIS was used to leverage the capital as these creeps put in zilch. We simply take back our property and pay them their management fees plus whatever they put in as capital at going rates of interest or let them compete with our new bridge if they want to play hard ball. This bridge is killing the people. It is not to our benefit so we cannot let the BOOT scheme stand as it is. This is not the bridge they initially said will be build. This is too heavy a tax on the people. Why should anyone pay an average of two days work at Guyanese rates to cross a bridge! that is preposterous if not straight up evil.

You creeps always want something for nothing. This was the only way Guyana could finance this bridge without going into enormous debt. It is a model that is truly capitalist. If the bridge is too expensive, there is always the opportunity for speed boat operators to ply their trade. Wherever there is an issue always exist an opportunity. The problem is not with the bridge but rather the traffic flow which is too sparse to leverage economies of scale. The mortgage has to be paid and if the flow of vehicles are not enough to cover the cost then price will have to increase and this is what happened. Now stop your complaining and suck it up as you do in the US when you pay a huge chunk of SSN, Medicare, Fica, UI Federal, State taxes to pay for all that we enjoy in this country. Like I always say, you pay for what you get. hahhahahha

that is straight up nonsense. The government financed the bulk of it. Further, if we are to pay off the CLICO mess, give away free laptops recklessly,etc constituting to more than 3/4 quarters the cost ,then we can cover the cost of a bridge which is a revenue producing enterprise in any event. How much did Jagdeo's buddies put into this project. The total cost is around 65 million

I remember pointing out at the time that the bridge was not privately financed, based on the government records. It appeared that money from the public purse was extracted to cover the work, but suddenly claims were made that the money came from private investors.
I'll do a search for the topic in question.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.T:
I remember pointing out at the time that the bridge was not privately financed, based on the government records. It appeared that money from the public purse was extracted to cover the work, but suddenly claims were made that the money came from private investors.
I'll do a search for the topic in question.

This is a dysfunctional development model under any ideological system. It's the Govt job to provide national infrastructure, both physical and legal which then facilitates the private sector to invest in commercial entreprises to grow the economy, provide jobs and livelihood and the base for Govt tax revenues.

quote:

Originally posted by baseman:

quote:

Originally posted by BGurd_See:

quote:

Originally posted by D2: Fortuynately, we owe them very little if any. The Guyanese people built the access roads to the tune of 16 million. Their NIS was used to leverage the capital as these creeps put in zilch. We simply take back our property and pay them their management fees plus whatever they put in as capital at going rates of interest or let them compete with our new bridge if they want to play hard ball. This bridge is killing the people. It is not to our benefit so we cannot let the BOOT scheme stand as it is. This is not the bridge they initially said will be build. This is too heavy a tax on the people. Why should anyone pay an average of two days work at Guyanese rates to cross a bridge! that is preposterous if not straight up evil.

You creeps always want something for nothing. This was the only way Guyana could finance this bridge without going into enormous debt. It is a model that is truly capitalist. If the bridge is too expensive, there is always the opportunity for speed boat operators to ply their trade. Wherever there is an issue always exist an opportunity. The problem is not with the bridge but rather the traffic flow which is too sparse to leverage economies of scale. The mortgage has to be paid and if the flow of vehicles are not enough to cover the cost then price will have to increase and this is what happened. Now stop your complaining and suck it up as you do in the US when you pay a huge chunk of SSN, Medicare, Fica, UI Federal, State taxes to pay for all that we enjoy in this country. Like I always say, you pay for what you get. hahhahahha

You truely missed the boat.

Well actually, some drink from the fountain of knowledge, but BGurd just gargled.

quote:

Originally posted by D2:
that is straight up nonsense. The government financed the bulk of it. Further, if we are to pay off the CLICO mess, give away free laptops recklessly,etc constituting to more than 3/4 quarters the cost ,then we can cover the cost of a bridge which is a revenue producing enterprise in any event. How much did Jagdeo's buddies put into this project. The total cost is around 65 million

Now you change your tune, first it was the bridge can pay for itself via tolls. Now its, govt should can other projects to pay for the bridge. In fact this is the rant of the AFC boys time and time again, when something happen at the hospital, they shout, get rid of laptops and clico and pay for hospital. When the roads bruckup they shout get rid of hospitals and pay for the road. When crime increase they shout get rid of the roads and pay the police. Now its full circle, get rid of laptop and pay for bridge. What a bunch of idiots in the AFc. You are really in bad company.

quote:

Originally posted by BGurd_See:

quote:

Originally posted by D2:
that is straight up nonsense. The government financed the bulk of it. Further, if we are to pay off the CLICO mess, give away free laptops recklessly,etc constituting to more than 3/4 quarters the cost ,then we can cover the cost of a bridge which is a revenue producing enterprise in any event. How much did Jagdeo's buddies put into this project. The total cost is around 65 million

Now you change your tune, first it was the bridge can pay for itself via tolls. Now its, govt should can other projects to pay for the bridge. In fact this is the rant of the AFC boys time and time again, when something happen at the hospital, they shout, get rid of laptops and clico and pay for hospital. When the roads bruckup they shout get rid of hospitals and pay for the road. When crime increase they shout get rid of the roads and pay the police. Now its full circle, get rid of laptop and pay for bridge. What a bunch of idiots in the AFc. You are really in bad company.

Thank you for highlighting the pertinent issues so succinctly

quote:

Originally posted by BGurd_See:

quote:

Originally posted by D2:
that is straight up nonsense. The government financed the bulk of it. Further, if we are to pay off the CLICO mess, give away free laptops recklessly,etc constituting to more than 3/4 quarters the cost ,then we can cover the cost of a bridge which is a revenue producing enterprise in any event. How much did Jagdeo's buddies put into this project. The total cost is around 65 million

Now you change your tune, first it was the bridge can pay for itself via tolls. Now its, govt should can other projects to pay for the bridge. In fact this is the rant of the AFC boys time and time again, when something happen at the hospital, they shout, get rid of laptops and clico and pay for hospital. When the roads bruckup they shout get rid of hospitals and pay for the road. When crime increase they shout get rid of the roads and pay the police. Now its full circle, get rid of laptop and pay for bridge. What a bunch of idiots in the AFc. You are really in bad company.

The bridge can pay for itself not pay to line the pockets of those privateers implanted there as "owners"

quote:

Originally posted by D2:
The bridge can pay for itself not pay to line the pockets of those privateers implanted there as "owners"

Did you do a study of revenues compared to the mortgage and maintenance on the bridge to determine this?

quote:

Originally posted by BGurd_See:

quote:

Originally posted by D2:
The bridge can pay for itself not pay to line the pockets of those privateers implanted there as "owners"

Did you do a study of revenues compared to the mortgage and maintenance on the bridge to determine this?

I take their word for it. If you were to check you will find they began before the study was completed with Geeta the cheatah saying it would only be to t he max of 10 over the cost of the ferry.

And yes I called it a what it was then since it was creative financing with the owners putting up very little.

Travel disrupted as engine failure docks Berbice River speedboat
By STABROEK STAFF | LOCAL | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2011

Alford C, the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) speedboat which plies the Berbice River, ceased operation for the entire day on Wednesday after an engine failure, disrupting travel for scores of commuters. The boat was, however, back in service yesterday morning. The service disruption resulted in fresh calls for the return of the MB Sandaka pontoon service, which was officially replaced by the speedboat on June 27. The 26-seater speedboat was moored at the New Amsterdam Ferry Stelling on Wednesday morning, while its operators were occupied in a game of dominoes and commuters fumed.

They complained about the “stress of waiting until the boat made several trips across the river”; “being locked out of school and facing detention,” and being “forced to pay a $600 return fare per day from a minimum wage income.” They also complained about the length of their daily commute owing to the large number of persons accessing the service and the limited seating capacity.

A police officer informed this newspaper that there are two captains manning the vessel, who would work interchangeably on a weekly basis.
The police officer said that while one captain would limit the load to 26 passengers per trip, the other would transport more, which could result in a disaster. In addition, it was also observed that while a ticketing system is in place, persons arriving late would duplicate tickets and thereafter enter the boat prematurely, leaving behind those who had arrived earlier. It was suggested that tickets be colour-coded so as to prevent this situation.

As a result of the large number of commuters who use the speedboat service on a daily basis, it was suspected that the wooden, single engine vessel was unable to bear the strain and would repeatedly encounter difficulties. As a result, travellers appealed for the pontoon service to be restored. “It is safer, and more commuters can travel together at any given time,” one of them said.

On July 6, when Transport Minister Robeson Benn had visited the location following pleas from the public, he emphasized that the speedboat service was fundamentally safe. “If you, as a parent or individual, believe that travelling on the boat is not safe, don’t use it. That’s your choice. You have an alternative,” he said.

Source

Gerhard,
If you fellas in the AFC will oppose for the sakeofopposing then we will be back to square one.
Don't try telling any Berbicians and I repeat any Berbician any thing about this Bridge. dON'T MAKE THAT bRIDGE AN ISSUE AT THIS ELECTIONS OR YOU GUYS WILL NOT GER ONE VOTE FROM bERBICE. tHE afc SHOULD BE INTELLIGENT ENOUGH TO KNOW WHAT FIGHT TO PICK!!

Just my 2 cents for I will like to see that the AFC take the cake and walk with it .