GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The leaders of Guyana and Suriname are expected to meet soon to discuss the construction of the proposed Corentyne River bridge, which would link the neighbouring Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries.
President Irfaan Ali, who on Sunday was sworn in for a second consecutive term as Guyana’s head of state, said he held a meeting with his Surinamese counterpart, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, who came to office following the May 25 elections in the Dutch-speaking country of Suriname.
“I think very, very early; maybe over this weekend, there will be a face-to-face meeting with the President of Suriname and the ministries are working that out to advance these projects,” he told reporters shortly after swearing in Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Office of the President on Monday.
Earlier, a government statement said that President Ali had met with Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melvin Bouva, “to advance development initiatives between the two countries”.
It stated that the discussions focused on Guyana’s commitment to the Corentyne River Bridge project, collaboration with Suriname to resolve issues affecting fisherfolk, improving the efficiency of the Guyana–Suriname ferry system, and exploring joint investment opportunities.
Ali said part of the discussions between Guyana and Suriname will center on financing the construction of the bridge.
“That is part of what we’re discussing, the financing mechanism, how it will be structured, and those kinds of things. That is what has to be finalised,” he added.
Asked whether Suriname has committed to going ahead with building the bridge, the President referred to Monday’s meeting with Bouva, saying, “We have not had any changes in the commitment.
“We have not had a response that this is not a priority, but the meeting this weekend hopefully would clarify and would settle what the priorities are for Suriname at this time,” he said.
The former government of Chandrikapersad Santokhi had been enthusiastic about building the 1.1-kilometre bridge, and Guyana and Suriname had agreed to have the China Road and Bridge Corporation undertake the construction work.
The bridge caters for ships of 47,000 deadweight tonnes, a horizontal clearance of 100 metres, and a vertical clearance of 43 metres. Guyana has allocated US$23 million this year towards the construction of the bridge, which could cost at least US$300 million.
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