Berbice businessmen said yesterday that they do not support the move by the Berbice Bridge Corpora-tion Inc (BBCI) to increase the tolls for local vessels by more than 300% as this will only affect the economy negatively.
In a notice in the Sunday Stabroek, BBCI advised “all mariners, vessel owners, masters, agents, pilots and captains of vessels” that all vessels shall be required to pay $55,000 to transit through the retractor opening in accordance with the Berbice River Bridge (Toll) Order 2009. This goes into effect from July 24, 2017, the notice said.
Contacted yesterday, Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (UCCC) President Krishnand Jaichand explained that the fee for local vessels to transit the retractor opening was currently $18,000, while foreign vessels paid $55,000. The increase in fees for