NO option will be ruled out when dealing with the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI) proposed toll increase, and the government intends to use all options available to ensure that citizens are not burdened, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson said in telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Monday.

Minister Patterson said that currently there are water taxis working and whether they will be increased or not will be decided in time. Members of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce had expressed the shock, astonishment and anger at the recent amended fare structure put out by the BBCI, and openly wondered if the company wants to strangle the citizens of East Berbice. The BBCI has announced plans to increase the bridge tolls over threefold, with a view to meeting operational costs and making up for the company’s accumulated loss of over G$2.8B.

The rates announced by the company are as follows: Cars: G$8,040; Pickups: G$14,600; 4WD: G$14,600; Minibuses: G$8,040; Small trucks: G$14,600; Medium trucks: G$27,720; Large trucks: G$49,600; Articulated trucks: G$116,680; Freight: G$1,680 and Boats: G$401,040. These, the company said, would be implemented on November 12, 2018.
Patterson said that the government would do all in its power to ensure that the increases are not implemented while, Attorney General, Basil Williams has stated that the BBCI would be in breach of both the Berbice River Bridge Act and the agreement that the company has signed with the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, if it proceeded to increase tolls.

The Corentyne chamber in a statement said, with the present economy of East Berbice not quite booming following the closure of some sugar estates, it is extremely insulting to the citizens to now be faced with this horrendous increase in fares. As a matter of fact, members of the chamber are asking for the present fare of $2,200 for motor cars and buses to be reduced to $1,500.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Regional Chairman David Armogan had said he does not think the government will allow the fares to increase, and that he has confidence in the administration to come up with a reasonable compromise.

“I think the government will intervene, I have the confidence the government will intervene and bring the stalemate to some kind of conclusion, so I don’t think that those rates that are fixed will be implemented on the 12th November,” the regional chairman said.

Meanwhile, President of the Central Corentyne Chambers of Commerce, Poonai Bhigroog said, when he first saw the news on social media he thought it was someone playing a late April fool’s joke in October. He said that should good sense not prevail and it is implemented, it will be disastrous for Berbice. “If it is to be implemented, I think that will be the final nail in the coffin for Berbice, it might be the first time on the planet that a county in a country becomes obsolete, cause it is almost ridiculous.”

Ryan Alexander, the President of the Berbice Chambers of Commerce echoed similar sentiments, and believes that if implemented the new rates will create “havoc”. He has called on all relevant stakeholders to unite so a solution can be worked out for the benefit of all. The President of the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, Mohindra Persaud, said he does not think the rates will be implemented since he believes the government will step in. According to him, from experience he knows the cost for maintenance for anything increases as it gets older, but feels the BBCI needs to look at other avenues to increase their revenue to help cushion this cost.