– Rohee says Opposition’s Bridge motion intent to portray PPP as heartless

THE real objective of the motion passed by the political Opposition in Parliament last Wednesday, to have the Berbice River Bridge tolls reduced, is to put Berbicians against the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and negatively impact on investors’ confidence and their willingness to conduct business here. Making the charge yesterday, PPP General Secretary and Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee added that the intent is to portray the party as heartless and inconsiderate.
He told a PPP’s weekly press conference at the party’s Freedom House headquarters in Robb Street, Georgetown: “That’s the whole name of the game.”

“This thing about rates and fees and tolls is absolute nonsense. That is not the issue. The issue is to make the PPP look bad in the eyes of those residents who the PPP claim is its stronghold supporters. We have absolute confidence that the Berbicians will unmask the enemy, see the wolves in sheep clothing who are coming to pretend they are friends of Berbicians.” – Minister Clement Rohee

“This thing about rates and fees and tolls is absolute nonsense. That is not the issue. The issue is to make the PPP look bad in the eyes of those residents who the PPP claim is its stronghold supporters. We have absolute confidence that the Berbicians will unmask the enemy, see the wolves in sheep clothing who are coming to pretend they are friends of Berbicians,” said Rohee.
Numerous projects implemented over the years are as a result of a combination of Guyana’s economic resources, assistance through loans/grants from international agencies and 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 Guyanese foremost in mind, Rohee stated.

MONUMENTAL TASKS
“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 People’s National Congress (PNC) regime and the despondency created both here and overseas,” he said.
Rohee said that Guyana, today, has 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,” he said.
The minister continued: “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 was the case when they ruled through deprivation.”
“The PPP wishes to reiterate 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.

REALISED A DREAM
“The PPP-led Government, through its vision to bridge the Berbice River, has realised 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 to which 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,” the minister stated.
He said the PPP is hoping Guyanese will remain cognisant that such actions would deprive the country of much needed investments to continue the modernisation and provision of services.
“Without such partnerships, the bridge would not have been realised 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 than now with the convenience of crossing at one’s leisure anytime twenty-four hours a day,” he argued.

“We call on all Guyanese to remain cognisant 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,” Rohee declared.

(By Telesha Ramnarine)