Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
May 08, 2014 News
– APNU wants the establishment of a bridge authority
Despite, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), demanding limited involvement of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) headed by Winston Brassington, in the construction of the New Demerara River Bridge, Government maintains that the entity has a natural role in the project.
According to Robeson Benn, Transport and Hydraulics Minister, during an interview with this publication, yesterday, NICIL, an agent of the Ministry of Finance, allows for, creates and has oversight of new investments and new equity arrangements for Government, through the public sector agencies.
Benn emphasized that the thrust of this initiative is that it will be a Public/Private BOOT (Build Own Operate and Transfer) arrangement. He explained that NICIL identifies where a new asset will be created in a relationship with Government.
“NICIL must have an involvement in the beginning which is why naturally, NICIL, was also involved in the beginning with the Berbice River Bridge…There is nothing unusual or strange with respect to that,” he said.
During the National Budget debates 2014, APNU’s Joseph Harmon related that the Opposition is in support of the construction of a New Demerara River Bridge since it is critical. He emphasized that the staff of the existing bridge are doing a good job of keeping the structure operational.
However, APNU does not want NICIL, or more particularly, Brassington to have a major role to play with the construction of the structure. Harmon stressed the need for the establishment of a Bridge Authority to manage the construction and operations of the new structure.
During an interview with this publication yesterday Harmon reiterated his party’s position on the matter. He stressed that APNU has made it clear that it does not want NICIL to overlook the management of this project.
Harmon said that APNU is displeased with Brassington’s performance in the areas of negotiations and the crafting of proper contracts. He pointed to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion project contract which sees Guyana paying the contractor for any delays. He also pointed to the contract for the construction of the Marriott Branded Hotel which gave away Guyanese rights to gain employment during the construction phase.
Currently, an evaluation team is examining the Expressions of Interest received for the construction of the bridge. At the time of the opening, 22 Expressions of Interest were submitted.
A number of Chinese and Indian Companies are vying to build the New Demerara River Bridge.
All the proposals were opened privately at NICIL and not at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, publicly, given that it is the Government’s holding company that is handling the project.
Taking into consideration the Opposition’s position on this matter and the fact it disapproved the budgetary allocations for programmes, which contained certain projects in the National Budget 2014 the question remains whether APNU will support the project with NICIL’s involvement.
However, Benn has adopted an optimistic approach to this matter as well as the other projects not approved by the Opposition.
“I am sure at some point when we would have clarified and gone over the details as we work this out that the Opposition would only accord with what could only be the national interest,” he said.
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
Apr 19, 2024
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