…seeks order to quash govt supervision of bridge

THE Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated says it has served notice on Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, and the Attorney General that legal proceedings have commenced in the High Court against them for taking over temporary supervision of the bridge which had threatened to hike tolls by over 300 per cent.

The matter has been fixed for hearing on December 5 at 15:00hrs. Amid a dispute over proposed increases of the Berbice Bridge tolls, the government last month moved to take over operation and maintenance of the bridge until an amicable resolution can be met. In a press statement, Minister Patterson had stated that the decision takes immediate effect and is in accordance with the powers conferred upon the minister by Sections 4 (1) and 11 of the Berbice River Bridge Act.

A portion of Section 4 (11) states: “A function exercisable by the concessionaire may be exercised by the government — (a) in the event of a national emergency declared by the President; or (b) if the minister determines that – (i) its exercise is necessary or expedient in the interest of public safety; or the concessionaire has defaulted in the performance of its obligations under the Concession Agreement…” An Order regarding such, cited as the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order 2018, was gazetted on November 1, 2018, and signed by the minister.

Patterson’s address took into consideration that the Board of Directors of the Berbice Bridge Company Limited (BBCI) had demanded a 360 per cent increase on the toll for all users, set to take effect from November 12, 2018. Patterson referred to the move as “draconian”, “unreasonable” and “unwarranted”, which will only become burdensome to Berbicians and the public at large.

He further stated that the demand for an increase in toll is based on a “flawed formula and computation” and, as such, the government will do everything in its powers to alleviate disruption and ensure smooth function. “On the basis of correspondence between both sides as recently as over the past few days, we do not envision a swift resolution to this crisis. Therefore, in accordance with the powers conferred upon the minister by Sections 4 (1) and 11 of the Berbice River Bridge Act, in the interest of public safety, the minister issued (today) an Order declaring that the functions of the concessionaire to maintain and operate the bridge shall be exercised by the Government of Guyana as of 5th November, 2018 until the date the minister specifies by notice on the cessation of the threat to public safety,” Patterson stated.

He added that no staffing complement, contractors or suppliers would be affected during the temporary arrangement and that the government will be continuing its dialogue with BBCI in expectation of an amicable resolution. “The truth is, too many of our citizens are dependent on the continuous operations and use of the Berbice Bridge and we should not allow anyone to unreasonably and capriciously endanger their livelihood and public order in one of our vital regions.” “The Ministry of Public Infrastructure would like to assure the citizens of Berbice and the public in general, on behalf of the Government of Guyana, that there will be no change to the present toll structure and all exemptions presently in place will remain in effect,” Patterson said.

Meanwhile, in its statement of claim, BBCI has petitioned the court for several orders, the first being an order of certiorari quashing paragraph 2 of the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order 2018 dated the 1st of November,2018, No. 42 of 2018, made by the first named defendant under the Berbice River Bridge Act Cap 51:06 ordering that the functions of the concessionaire, namely the claimant, to maintain and operate the bridge shall be exercised by the government, the first named defendant having determined that the exercise of those functions by the government is necessary and expedient in the interest of the public during the period 5th November, 2018, to the date the minister specifies by notice on the cessation of the threat to public safety.

(b) An order of certiorari quashing paragraph 3 of the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order 2018, dated the 1st November, 2018, No. 42 of 2018, made by the first named defendant under the Berbice River Bridge Act Cap 51:06 ordering that the tolls levied and collected and any exemptions shall be the same as those levied, collected and exempted immediately before the coming into operation of the said order.

(c) An order of prohibition prohibiting the first named defendant or the Government of Guyana from exercising the functions of maintaining and operating the Berbice River Bridge.

(d) An order of prohibition prohibiting the first named defendant from ordering that the tolls levied, collected and exempted immediately before the coming into operation of the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order No. 42 of 2018, shall be the same as those levied, collected and exempted before the coming into operation of the said order.

(e) A declaration that the first named defendant has no power under the Berbice River Bridge Act, or otherwise, to approve or reject an increase in tolls by the claimant.

(f) A declaration that the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order No. 42 of 2018 is ultra vires sections 4 and 12 of the Berbice River Bridge Act.

(g) A declaration that the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order, No. 42 of 2018, made by the first named defendant under the Berbice River Bridge Act is unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect in that it is tantamount to the compulsory taking of possession or compulsorily acquiring an interest in or right over property, to wit, the Berbice River Bridge, owned by the claimant without prompt and adequate compensation in violation of article 142(1) of the Constitution of Guyana.

(h) A conservatory order prohibiting the defendants, by themselves, their servants and/or agents from assuming the functions of the claimant as the concessionaire to maintain, operate the Berbice River Bridge under the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order No. 42 of 2018 made under the Berbice River Bridge Act, Cap 51:06.

(i) A conservatory order prohibiting the defendants by themselves, their servants and/or agents from ordering or continuing to maintain the order that the tolls levied and collected and any exemptions from the payment of tolls shall be the same as those levied, collected and exempted immediately before the coming into operation of the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order No. 42 of 2018 made under the Berbice River Bridge Act, Cap 51:06.

(j) An order directing the first named defendant to supply to the claimant as a body affected by the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order, No. 42 of 2018,a statement setting out the findings on material questions of fact referring to the evidence or other material on which those findings were based and giving the reasons for the decision.