Citing the active court case related to the issue, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson has declined an invitation from the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI) to discuss “a fair and reasonable offer…for the purchase of the ownership of the Bridge.”
In a letter, dated August 26th, BBCI referenced an interview on the National Communications Network (NCN) during which Patterson reportedly claimed that government had offered to purchase the ownership of the Berbice River Bridge from the BBCI. The company said that it was ready to meet and consider the offer.
“We have no record of the government making such an offer, but, given your, now, very public statement, that the government is willing to make a fair and reasonable offer to us for the purchase of the ownership of the bridge, we are pleased to inform you that we are ready to meet at your earliest convenience to consider the government’s offer,” the letter, signed by Corporate Secretary Stephen Rambhajan, said.
Speaking with Stabroek News last evening, Patterson indicated that his ministry has since responded, stating that out of respect for the domain of the judiciary, it would not participate in a meeting until the matter has been decided in the court.
“They took the matter to court and we will respect the court’s jurisdiction on the matter. Government has always been interested in finding amicable resolution to any national issue such as the Berbice bridge but since the matter is in court, it is inappropriate to discuss it with them. Any such discussion would be occurring under duress and we can’t have that,” he explained.
The company previously accused Patterson of misinforming the nation during an interview on NCN on August 17th. In a press statement, BBCI expressed “astonishment” at an announcement by Patterson that government had offered to purchase the ownership of the Bridge. The company accused the coalition government generally and Patterson specifically of failing to recognise its role as a partner while misleading the public about its engagement with the company.
According to the statement, during the interview, Patterson “made a number of false and disconcerting statements which have absolutely no basis in truth.”
In addition to the claim of an attempted purchase, Patterson is accused of refusing to accept that his government bears responsibility for the current financial challenges faced by the company. “The minister knows perfectly well that his government has consistently refused to respect its contractual obligation to address the annual adjustments to the bridge toll required by the Concession Agreement between the government and the Bridge Company,” BBCI stated.
The company contended that since November 2018, it had repeatedly requested, in writing, to meet with the minister to discuss a revision of the Concession Agreement without success.
“The Concession Agreement between the government and the Bridge Company is a product of a public/private partnership, but instead of recognising its role as a partner, the government refuses to meet and has preferred to take control of the bridge and as a result has been ordered by the court to give reasons for its action,” the BBCI said, while reminding that the matter is scheduled to be heard on 18th October 2019.
Citing a “threat to public safety” in light of the planned increase in tolls, Patterson on November 5th, 2018, assumed temporary control over the operation of the Berbice River Bridge and promised to retain the present toll structure as it sought to find an amicable resolution to its ongoing dispute with BBCI. There was however no amicable resolution and legal action followed.
The move by the government came after the bridge company had announced that there would be a huge increase in all tolls from November 12th, 2018.
The announcement had been met with opposition by Patterson, who had stated that the government would in no way allow “unconscionable increases” and would be seeking legal advice from the Attorney General’s Chambers.
