By Svetlana Marshall
Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill has disclosed that the new Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge in the mining town of Linden will cost approximately US$35 million, and will be built completely with local funds, although an international loan agreement was recently signed for the project.
The Public Works Minister made the disclosure today during the consideration of Financial Paper No 3 of 2023 at the level of the Parliamentary Committee of Supply.
Under the Financial Paper, the Government is seeking more than $61 Billion in Supplementary funding, of which $2.1B has been budgeted for the construction of the new bridge across the Demerara River in Linden.
Minister Edghill explained that the $2.1B is needed to make a down payment or mobilization advance for the designed-build project.
According to him, the 2023 National Budget did not include any money for the construction of the bridge.
“Dr. Singh, when he did his 2023 Budget speech did mention the mention the fact of bridging Mackenzie with Wismar, the four-lane bridge, but there was no money for that specific project. Now that we are at an advanced stage, where we are making final arrangements, and we are asking for this appropriation to facilitate the engagement of getting that project moving,” the Public Works Minister explained, while responding to a series of questions posed by Opposition MP Volda Lawrence.
The Government Minister said the four-lane bridge would be 220 meters long, and will include a pedestrian and cycle lane.
In early June, the Government announced the signing of two loan agreements with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) for the construction of the bridge at Linden and the development of 2,500 housing units totaling US$150M.
At the time, it was explained that US$100M will be used to develop approximately 2,500 housing units, while the second loan amounting to US$50M will be used for the construction of the bridge.
However, while responding to questions posed by Opposition Members of Parliament Volda Lawrence and Annette Ferguson, the Public Works Minister explained that the bridge is being constructed with the use of local funds.
“We are dealing here with the bridge, and I am advised by both my PS, as well as the Chief Planning Officer, the bridge is being funded by local funds,” Minister Edghill maintained.
In June, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo stated that the Government was engaging China Railway Construction Limited for the construction of the bridge.
Today, the Public Works Minister failed to disclose the name of the contractor though asked by Opposition. He however, said that the full design of the bridge will be made public once the contract is signed.
Government is hoping to ink that agreement before December 31, and the construction of the bridge, according to Minister Edghill, will take approximately two years.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login