-billion-dollar bridge for Bonasika Creek
Bids are being invited for a major road link from Parika to Goshen which could see a billion-dollar bridge over the Bonasika Creek.
This project could bring to fruition the longstanding PPP plan from the 1960s for the eastern side of the Essequibo River which was then known as the Del Conte Road.
The Ministry of Public Works last week invited bids for the construction of a fair weather roadway from Parika to Bonasika. It has been advertised in two lots of 5 km. Both have an engineer’s estimate of $491.6m.
Construction of a bridge at Bonasika River has an engineer’s estimate of $983.5m.
Bids for these projects will be opened on March 19, 2025 at 9 am.
Earlier this month, the Ministry had issued an invitation for the construction of bridges and roads between Parika and Goshen.
These encompass the construction of a bridge at Maripa Main Drain, a bridge at Aliki Main Drain, construction of culverts between the Bonasika River and Itaka, construction of a 20 km fair weather roadway from Bonasika to Itaka, construction of a 20 km fair weather roadway from Itaka to Goshen, construction of bridges at Itaka Creek, Beribissibali Creek, Lanabali Main Drain, Makouria Creek, Kujarau Creek and construction of culverts between Itaka and Goshen.
No engineer’s estimate was provided for these tasks.
Bids are to be opened on March 12, 2025.
In a letter in Stabroek News of June 23, 2022, senior PPP member Clement Rohee reflected on the Del Conte Project.
“Soon after the PPP’s election victory in August 1961, the newly elected Cheddi Jagan government successfully secured assistance in the form of ‘Contractor Finance.’ Tenders were invited to construct a 30-mile long road on the right bank of the Essequibo River from Parika to Makouria. The road was to be linked by a ferry crossing to Bartica. The United Force sought to throw cold water on the project by referring to the political situation in Venezuela, issues related to financing, due diligence and the need for a public debate on the project. Three months later, in February 1962, opposition political parties including the PNC led by Forbes Burnham, the UF led by Peter D’Aguiar and the TUC mounted street demonstrations against the budget introduced by Dr.CR Jacobs PPP Finance Minister. By February 16, looting and destruction by fire of business places erupted in downtown Georgetown. The Del Conte Road project was torpedoed following the elections in 1964 that brought the PNC/UF coalition to office.
“Forty nine years later, former President Donald Ramotar announced, `We are keenly examining the possibility of reopening the Del Conte trail via a road link between Parika and communities close to Bartica.’ He went on to say; `When constructed, the road has the possibility of opening up thousands of acres of new lands for agricultural cultivation thereby increasing food production and securing greater economic opportunities for farmers, while providing a much needed road link to areas formerly only accessible by river.’ (G/C 30.5.2013). In its 2020 Election Manifesto under the theme ‘Infrastructure Boom – Building For The Future, the PPP/C declared; ‘The PPP/C government will initiate work on several transformative infrastructural projects that will include the Parika to Rockstone Del Conte Road and link to Bartica.’”
