In a detailed and impassioned letter to the local press, former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, levied serious allegations against the PPP administration, claiming a deliberate obstruction of critical road and bridge projects initiated by the previous coalition government. Patterson’s extensive critique encompasses the Linden-Mabura highway, the McKenzie-Wismar bridge, and the fixed bridge at Kurupukari.
Patterson vehemently challenged the accuracy of statements made by the current Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, asserting, “The Minister of Public Works has always been a stranger to the truth, and in the past has been publicly caught out for his practice of using imaginary numbers, to justify his government’s incompetence.” Patterson then pointed out a significant discrepancy in costs, stating that the construction cost for the two-lane version of the Wismar bridge was US$23.6M, while the four-lane version was pegged at US$29.2M, inclusive of contingency. Patterson said he finds it laughable that the PPP’s version, identical in design, is touted as 20 percent higher.
Highlighting the PPP’s initial reluctance toward the McKenzie-Wismar bridge, Patterson said, “The McKenzie – Wismar bridge was the brainchild of the APNU+AFC administration, a project that the PPP attempted to kill. No inclusions were made in 2020 and 2021 budgets for this project – it was only after the public outcry by the Lindeners that it was reluctantly reintroduced – so much for caring for the people of Region 10.”
Patterson also expressed concern about the abandonment of the fixed bridge at Kurupukari, emphasizing the impact on citizens of Region Nine with a limited pontoon crossing. He also accused the PPP of neglecting visionary leadership by dropping this project.
Furthermore, the former minister delved into broader infrastructural plans, detailing abandoned projects such as a fixed bridge over the Berbice River to Kwakwani, a road linking Orealla/Siparuta to Kwakwani, and funding for a new highway connecting Kwakwani and Ituni to the Linden-Lethem highway. He lamented that these projects have been forsaken by the PPP in favour of smaller contracts for drain cleaning.
Patterson indicated that he aims not only to scrutinize the PPP’s handling of specific projects but also raise overarching concerns about the government’s commitment to regional development.
Further, he called for transparency and accountability in the execution of crucial projects, demanding a thorough examination of the PPP’s approach to fulfilling promises and fostering genuine progress in the realm of infrastructure.
