PNCR office picketed over motion to halt Berbice River Bridge
Kaieteur News
January 24, 2007
Berbicians, yesterday, picketed the PNCR office in New Amsterdam after PNCR Member of Parliament James Mc Allister raised a motion, in Parliament yesterday, to delay the construction of the Berbice River Bridge.
McAllister's motion seeks to have more feasibility studies carried out on the bridge and its location before actual construction.
The PPP/C Berbice Party Supervisor, Zulfikar Mustapha, said that Mc Allister wants the Economic Service Committee of Parliament to be the executing agency. This, he said, is equivalent to filibustering.
Mustapha, who is also the Region Six Chairman, told reporters that the PNCR would like to derail the development of the Berbice Region. Only two years ago, the PNCR voted against the Region's Education budget, he said.
The PNCR, whilst in Government, had discriminated against several communities across the Region which, they thought, had primarily PPP supporters, said Mustapha.
The protest, which commenced at around 15:00hrs from the Freedom House on Main Street and passed through the town, was described as spontaneous.
Mustapha said that the ferries operating in Berbice are a waste of time and thus the bridge is urgently needed. “Works on the bridge have already commenced. Houses have been removed and things are being done.”
He said the construction of the Berbice River Bridge , among other projects, will see Berbice as the powerhouse of the country in a short while.
The protesters, whilst holding placards carrying slogans such as “Berbicians are people, too”, “PNCR hindering Berbice Bridge Project,” and “We support the Bridge location,” were all chanting “Who don't want the Bridge? The PNC”.
From the PNCR office, the demonstrators marched along the town to return to Freedom House.