No nationalisation
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson

…Min. Patterson dismisses Berbice Bridge takeover claims

THE Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson has rejected what he described as misinformation by the opposition that the government has nationalised the Berbice River Bridge, or has future interest to take over the legitimate operations of private businesses or enterprises.

This announcement comes on the heels of criticism from some members of the parliamentary opposition who have since found fault in the government’s decision to supervise the maintenance and operations of the river bridge to stave off astronomical increases in tolls, which it said was a threat to public safety.

On Monday, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament (MP) and former Attorney-General Anil Nandlall, took to social media to accuse the government of taking possession of the bridge under the “guise” of public safety. “This is nothing short of the State compulsorily acquiring private property without any expressed intention to pay adequate compensation at market value as is required by Article 142 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana,” Nandlall had stated.

However, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, condemned these remarks and those made by his counterparts to be “a campaign of misinformation to spread propaganda”. A release from the ministry reminded the public that the decision taken by the government is in accordance with the Berbice River Bridge Act and even falls under the provisions of a law passed by the PPP.

“The ministry, therefore, rejects the spurious and inflammatory claims by the opposition that a private property has been expropriated in breach of Article 142 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and emphasised that no property has been seized or otherwise taken by the government,” the release stated, adding:

“The claim by detractors that the government has nationalised the Berbice River Bridge is appallingly incorrect and mischievous. We should remind the opposition PPP that the action that has been taken is under the provisions of a law passed when they formed the government and we invite them to resist their usual urge to play politics as the government takes action to protect the interests and safety of the Guyanese people.”

In his social media post, Nandlall also claimed that “the reins of government are in the hands of authoritarians” accusing the administration of utilising “bullyism” for the “stealing of private property”.

The release further denounced these assumptions and assured the business community that the PPP holds a misguided interpretation of the government’s aim to protect its citizens. “The Coalition Government has no policy to nationalise or take ownership control of any businesses operating legitimately in the territory of Guyana, and we will aggressively resist and push back against any such labelling of our administration.”

“The Coalition Government would also like to assure the business sector that there is no policy or interest to interfere in or take over private businesses or enterprises,” the document stated.
It further added that the action taken is in keeping with the government’s responsibility to ensure public order and safety and to guarantee continuous operation of the infrastructure critical to the region.

The Berbice River Bridge, it said, operates as an essential service and like any other in such category requires government action in times of national emergency. “The social good provided by this bridge ranks similar to other important social services such as healthcare and education. Its value to the economic fortunes of many of our people is also well recognised.

No responsible government could sit and wait for the stalemate, arising from the unreasonable unilateral action of one party, to continue, which could lead to massive disruption and dislocations in people’s lives…this government will not be accused of failure to act in the people’s interest or for dereliction of duty in protecting the vital economic region of the country which is showing signs of economic recovery and growth,” the release declared.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure took up the supervisory role of the bridge after the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI) announced its intention to raise the tolls by threefold on November 12, 1018.
The maintenance and operation of the bridge will now be managed by the government until an agreement can be reached with the other stakeholders in the dispute.

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