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By Mark DaCosta- The Opposition, People’s National Congress/A Partnership for National Unity (PNCR/APNU) has condemned the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C’s) recent proposal to eliminate bridge tolls across Guyana, labelling it a cynical ploy designed to deceive the public while hiding the true political and financial motivations behind the initiative. In a strongly worded statement, the Opposition blasted the government for its failure to genuinely address the cost-of-living crisis facing Guyanese citizens, while continuing to prioritise cronyism and personal gain.
According to the Opposition, the PPP/C’s sudden interest in making bridges toll-free is nothing more than an attempt to reward its “friends and favourites” who have financial stakes in the Berbice River Bridge. Worse yet, the plan seeks to undermine the municipality of Linden, whose main revenue source is the Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge. The government’s goal, according to the PNCR/APNU, is to financially cripple the Linden Mayor and Town Council by cutting off its access to much-needed toll revenues.
“This is the same government that recently insulted our teachers with a paltry salary increase and continues to withhold G$7 billion that was approved to help citizens cope with rising living costs,” the Opposition declared. “Their so-called toll-free proposal is nothing more than a political stunt, aimed at protecting their inner circle rather than easing the burden on ordinary Guyanese.”
The PNCR/APNU reaffirmed its own vision for Guyana’s transportation future, emphasising that any decision to reduce or eliminate tolls must be part of a larger, well-thought-out strategy. As the next government, the Opposition promised to not only make travel affordable for all but to do so within the framework of a comprehensive national transport plan.
The statement also drew attention to the fact that the Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge generates G$70 million annually for the Linden municipality, a crucial source of income for the town. The PPP/C’s silence on this issue, even during a recent press conference by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, was particularly damning. The Opposition vowed that under a PNCR/APNU government, any reductions in tolls on the Wismar Bridge would be accompanied by full compensation to the Linden municipality to make up for lost revenue. Additionally, the central government would assume all operational and maintenance costs for the bridge.
In contrast to the PPP/C’s piecemeal approach, the Opposition underscored its long-term strategy for developing the country’s transportation network. “Our nation needs more than empty promises and vote-seeking gimmicks. We need a transportation system that works for all Guyanese, ensuring that no one is left behind because of high travel costs or poor services,” the statement declared.
The PNCR/APNU also took the opportunity to respond to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s latest press conference, which they described as a series of distortions and outright lies. During his speech, Jagdeo had falsely claimed that the PNC did nothing for health and education during its time in power, conveniently ignoring the fact that the PNC made both healthcare and education free and accessible to all citizens by building schools, health centres, and hospitals across the country.
The Opposition further refuted Jagdeo’s claim that the PNCR is a racist party, calling it a “desperate attempt to stir racial tensions” in an effort to shore up the PPP’s declining support base. “The record speaks for itself. The PNCR has always invested heavily in agriculture and development that has benefitted all Guyanese, regardless of race. Jagdeo’s accusations are nothing more than a crude attempt to deflect from his party’s failures.”
In another revelation, the PNCR/APNU highlighted blatant corruption within the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). The statement pointed to a recent contract awarded to New GPC Inc., in which all 40 lots of pharmaceuticals supply, amounting to over G$7 billion, were handed to a single company. The Opposition described this as an example of “organised crime masquerading as governance,” further alleging that 10 percent of the sum was funnelled as a bribe to Freedom House.
The PNCR/APNU called for an immediate forensic investigation into NPTAB’s dealings, as well as sweeping reforms to Guyana’s procurement laws to combat what they describe as “the PPP’s culture of corruption and cronyism.
The Opposition’s statement concluded with a demand for a forensic audit of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) building renovation, citing evidence of overblown costs and rampant corruption. The cost of the building’s rehabilitation, estimated at G$2 billion, was described as exorbitant, raising serious questions about how public funds are being used under the PPP/C government.
As the 2025 elections approach, the PNCR/APNU’s message is clear: the PPP/C is using every trick in the book to mislead the Guyanese people while enriching their inner circle. The Opposition has repeatedly urged citizens to stand up, demand accountability, and reject the PPP’s corrupt regime at the ballot box.
