A WEEK ago the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) served notices on the Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and Attorney General (AG),Basil Williams, that they have filed legal proceedings over the government’s move to supervise operations of the bridge after the company had threatened to hike tolls by 300 per cent.

The matter was called in the Chambers of Justice Gino Persaud on Wednesday afternoon however for a status hearing. There the AG explained that both he and Minister Patterson have been preoccupied with the ongoing budget debate in Parliament. The AG said that the notice of application was served on November 28, and the national budget was passed on November 26. From that date thereafter, the respondents have been engaging in budgetary debates at the sitting of Parliament.

To properly address these issues in their entirety, he said that they requested from the court an extension of 10 days, within which to serve and file an affidavit in answer.
Justice Persaud granted the extension of time and both parties are to return on December 17th for the commencement of the substantive matter.

Minister Patterson has said that the supervision of the bridge is temporary and that the government will be continuing its dialogue with the BBCI in expectation of an amicable resolution, because a 365% increase is exorbitant. “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 livelihoods and public order in one of our vital regions,” Patterson said.

However, following their decision, BBCI took it to the court and is petitioning for several orders including an order of certiorari quashing paragraph 2 of the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order 2018 dated the 11 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.