OPINION: Tariffs go, or the Guyana-Surinam bridge goes

Last Updated on Saturday, 4 April 2026, 12:30 by Writer

By GHK Lall

On April Fool’s Day, right here on Demerara Waves Online News, (“Guyana must get real with Surinam, no pushover anymore”) I called for the Guyana Government to scrap talks on the proposed Corentyne Bridge to Suriname. I wasn’t fooling around, but serious as a root canal (without Novocain). On April 3rd, on Demerara Waves Online News again, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) stepped into the mix with its own powerful advisory recommending the calling off of talks with Suriname on the same hanging Corentyne Bridge. In summary, tariffs imposed by Suriname on Guyanese cargo ships must be scrapped, other thorny differences resolved, or cease all conversations about bridge building. What to make of all this? What to make of it, when the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Assoc, and other private sector entities have, in substance, taken the same stand by the PPP Govt led by Pres. Ali?

Interesting that the good folks, all conscientious and patriotic Guyanese, see the world as I do; a rarity, usually a nonstarter. Never expected that, though I am as capitalist as them, if not considerably more. For them to take a stand similar to mine means that their interests are under attack, their bottom line threatens to sink to a new bottom. A sad day that would be, but they are fighting, and I recognize kinsmen, as they call upon Excellency Ali to stand up before Suriname and say Guyana is standing down from the proposed Corentyne Bridge unless the tariffs go down. Not down to lower levels, but down and out. I hope that’s clear. No negotiation. Surinam’s leaders must get rid of those damn tariffs. Pronto. Plus, other grievances mentioned by the Chamber.

Pres. Ali has led with something called “reciprocity.” Personally, reciprocity must be evidenced by quality, quantity, and durability. Not sneaked back in on Guyanese, under some different disguise. If he is truly leading from the front, Dr. Ali must not be lead-footed on this tariffs’ repellence, but make it a test case. The test case that sets precedent and standard on how the Guyana-Surinam relationship and friendship operate in real-time and real-life. Guyanese boatmen and businesspeople must not forever be looking over their shoulders, mapping what new painful hammer blows the people in Paramaribo will drop on Guyana’s head. Not the way to conduct interstate commerce. Not a persuasive symbol of friendship, a mutually respectful and productive relationship.

It is always disgusting when Guyana is made into the doormat of neighbours. Will Ali and all those badmen in the PPP Govt rise and say: stop showering Guyanese with these loads of sewage? A day of celebration that would be. Remember: I have no profit motive. Be assured. Guyana extends its hand in friendship and brotherhood (and/or sisterhood), with every expectation of reciprocity. When that hand is met with a lack of friendship, then a fist is all that’s left. Reciprocity is a two-way street; not the one-way express highway that Surinamese leaders have made it into, with one punishing move after another against Guyana’s interests. Identical to how the PPP Govt sits back and studies how to generate measures to squeeze Guyanese, so also Surinam governments have developed schemes to pressure Guyanese businesses, and Guyanese labouring to make an honest living. In local lingo, time for this eye-pass to stop.

Pres. Ali cannot go on selling Guyana as breadbasket and oil basket to the region, when Surinam treats Guyana as a basket case. What happened to national pride? Why is Surinam allowed to treat Guyana, as if it is a child? To be kept in check (probe that) and kept down. I am all for a healthy, mutually beneficial relationship between Guyana and Surinam, the reciprocity that Dr. Ali tabled. When seen, it will be recognized and supported. Most likely, the GCCI et al will applaud such before me. Good to have them as friends. If the tariffs are allowed to remain in place, they would be the newest in a long line of such insulting developments from Suriname. If so, what’s next? When so, reciprocity is slapped off the table, the bridge is scrapped, and Guyana starts anew. Let a new era begin. No more is Guyana a stagnant punching bag, a lifeless doormat, and easy public convenience. Rise, Excellency Ali! Best to Suriname.