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Dear Editor,
I have read the attached article carried by Stabroek Newspaper on June 26, 2023 quoting from Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo at his last press conference. This should be of concern to ALL Guyanese.
From all indications it appears to me that the new arrangements for the construction of the New Wismar Bridge is a loose and untidy one, under this PPP/C regime. Something is not sitting right.
Mr. Jagdeo has stated that the regime will be engaging with “Chinese contractor China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, which is expected to cost US$35M.” This is where the interest is!
It will be recalled the following:
– that during the Coalition Government, it was our desire to have a newly “two lane” bridge, one on each side constructed for the residents of Linden.
– through the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, a feasibility study was done by Caribbean Development Bank, after intense consultations with residents and authorities within the region.
– the cost of the bridge construction is US$25M, which the coalition government sourced from CDB!
Something is not RIGHT! Several months ago, Senior Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, on behalf of Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Saudi Fund for Development, Mr. Sultan A. Al-Marshad for the construction of the Wismar/Mackenzie Bridge.
Mr. Jagdeo who seems to be the regime’s chief spokesperson has hinted to the nation, through his Press Conference, the following:
– Failed to inform the Nation what has become of the funding secured from CDB and the feasibility studies conducted.
– Failed to state who is likely to fund the costing of the Bridge, since the regime has not consulted with CDB.
– Failed to inform the nation, how the new figure of US$35M was derived, since it appeared that no new feasibility studies were done.
– Failed to inform the nation, how the regime arrived at a “four lane bridge,” when no feasibility study was conducted.
– Failed to inform the nation, why and how the Chinese Construction Company, currently building the New Demerara Harbour Bridge is his regime’s preference for negotiation.
– Failed to inform the nation when an advisement was done, regarding this new four lane design, what procurement procedures were complied with, to ensure that other interesting Construction Companies were given an opportunity to bid.
– Mr. Jagdeo has also FAILED to make public the new loan agreement of this US$35M cost to construct the New Wismar Bridge.
– Also, Mr. Jagdeo has FAILED to make public to the people of Guyana, a depiction of what this “four lane bridge” in Wismar is expected to look like on completion.
What Mr. Jagdeo should be saying to the people of Guyana, taxpayers whose shoulders this loan will be laid on, who identified, selected and with whom negotiations are about to commence with? Is it that Su Zhirong is still a key player and middleman in these “so called” negotiations with Chinese Companies for Bharrat Jagdeo?
Guyanese, it is TIME we wake up and demand ACCOUNTABILITY and TRANSPARENCY form this Ali/Jagdeo regime. We should no longer remain silent and allow this rogue regime to push and pluck things in our eyes, to accept wholesale.
Guyanese, we need to stand and protect our nation from further degradation by the PPP/C regime. They have no interest in governing transparently and with accountability.
I DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY!
Yours truly,
Annette Ferguson, MP
