PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali has made it clear that Guyana will only pursue the Corentyne River bridge as a joint project with Suriname, stating that there is “no other official position” before his government.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event on Wednesday, Dr Ali said he has received no official communication other than the existing understanding that the crossing is to be executed as a shared initiative between the two states.
His response came amid reports that Suriname wants to solely build the proposed Corentyne River Bridge.
“I have not received anything officially other than what is in the media. I know the Minister of Finance (Dr Ashni Singh) reached out, but our position is very clear. The Corentyne River bridge is a bridge that is being discussed jointly. It’s a joint project by the government of Guyana and the government of Suriname, and that is how it will be, “he said.

He stressed that any change to the current framework would have to come formally through diplomatic channels, at which point he would address it publicly and firmly.
“Guyana is interested in being part of a project that covers two sovereign spaces in a joint manner. That has always been our position. There is no other position that is before me. There is no other official position that’s before me. There is no other official request that is before me.”
“If any other request is made, then at that time I’ll be in a position to pronounce on it, and you can rest assured that I’ll pronounce decisively on it,” he added.
Last September, President Ali had met with Surinamese President, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, in Nickerie, Suriname.
The two leaders had then expressed their mutual commitment to further deepen the bilateral partnership to promote peace, security, and prosperity for the peoples of both countries.
The bridge, which will span approximately 3.1 kilometres, is set to connect Moleson Creek in Guyana to South Drain in Suriname, with a landing point on Long Island in the Corentyne River. Guyana has earmarked GY$5 billion (US$23.9 million) for the project in its budget.
Back in 2022 a US$2 million contract was signed for the feasibility study and design of the bridge.