“Employees have nothing to fear” – VP on bridge toll removal
As the Government moves forward with its decision to eliminate tolls on the country’s key bridges, Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo has assured employees that their jobs are secure and that they have nothing to fear.
Dr Jagdeo gave this reassurance during his weekly press conference on Thursday, while shutting down fears, making it clear that no worker will be left behind.
“The employees of the bridge…we’d still need to operate the bridge until the new bridge comes on stream, which would be a while from now. So, the employees have nothing to fear about the Government being part of this arrangement or taking over the bridge. And they would have to work with the shareholders of that bridge,” he told the media.
In keeping with the Government’s plans to eliminate bridge tolls, President Irfaan Ali during the annual observance to celebrate the life of Dr Cheddi Jagan at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant in Region Six on Sunday last, announced that effective from August 1, 2025, it will be toll-free to cross the Demerara Harbour Bridge, the Berbice Bridge and the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge in Linden.
In explaining the move, the President had said last year that the Government is looking to ease the burden on citizens while also enhancing the transportation network and improving competitiveness through the efficient movement of goods and services across the country.
The new Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge will include a two-metre-wide side walk on both sides. The bridge will be elevated about 10 metres above ground level, with a clearance of over eight metres
Following the announcement, Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon has expressed concerns regarding the removal of the Wismar/Mackenzie Bridge toll.
According to the Mayor, the removal of the bridge toll presents an immediate and significant financial challenge for the Council, as the toll, governed by Act 51:04 (Demerara River (Mackenzie) Bridge Act), has historically contributed some $6 million per month to the Council’s budget.
He further went on to state that Government has not engaged the Council in discussions nor provided any alternative funding solutions to address the substantial budget shortfall that will come as a result of the toll removal.
While Public Works Minister Juan Edghill has responded indicating that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Administration is keen on improving living standards for all Guyanese and won’t allow the Mayor and his ‘political handlers’ to stymie the Government’s development agenda, Dr Jagdeo said Government will be meeting with the Linden Town Council to discuss the imminent removal of the toll at the bridge.
“They don’t want the free toll in Linden, claiming that it will affect their revenue and that the Government didn’t discuss this with them as yet. Let me tell you that the President has already announced that all the people of the country will benefit from this. People in Berbice, Region Five and Six, the people in region Four and Three who use the bridge and also the people in Region 10, or anyone else who would use the bridge. We don’t have many different policies. However, we will meet with the town council in Linden. We will meet with them to discuss this matter,” he explained.
Currently, the toll to cross the Berbice River Bridge using a car is $1,900, while the toll to cross the Demerara River is $200. The cost for crossing the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge is $60.
The toll varies for motorcycles and lorrie
