Dear Editor,

For those students at the University of Guyana studying Political Economy the toll structure of the Berbice Bridge is a classic example of monopoly capitalism in operation.

Since it is prohibited by government for small vehicles to use the ferry boat, the only option to get from one side of the river to the other is by using the bridge, so pay up whatever the cost, or you will not cross.

Frankly speaking I felt let down that a party which I have always supported and strongly defended could collude in the imposition of such burdensome tolls.

It is obvious that the investors intend like true capitalists to recoup their investment of eight billion in the shortest time possible, and those charges will certainly accomplish this.

Using the figures of the Demerara Bridge of 6,000 crossings a day, at an average of 5,000 crossings at $2,000.00 the Berbice Bridge would earn $3,650,000.00 annually.  In three years the bridge would have paid for itself.  From the investors’ point of view, that is great business.  But spare a thought for the poor commuters. For example a person who lives on the one side of the river but works on the other side, and uses a car to do his job must cross six times a week. At $2,000.00 a day he will pay $12,000.00 a week.  I suppose one can argue that he or she could get a job on his side of the river.

What is appalling to me is that the Guyanese investors are behaving like overseas investors whose only objective is to exploit the Guyanese people for their benefit.

I urge the owners of the bridge to have a second look at the tolls and come up with more realistic charges.  The travelling public will be grateful if you do.

Yours faithfully,
Carl Rogers
Chief Fire Officer (retd)