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Management of the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI) said that it waived tolls for both of the major political parties during rallies kept in the Ancient County.CEO of Berbice Bridge, Omadat SamarooAccording to Chief Executive Officer of BBCI, Omadat Samaroo, both the ruling People’s Progress Party/Civic (PPP/C) and A Partnership for National Unity plus Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) had written the company asking for waivers for the rallies.“This was approved by BBCI and the two major political parties were issued with almost equal amounts of toll waivers,” Samaroo said in his statement.“The Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated sees this gesture as a continuation of its corporate social responsibility to ensure that Berbicians are not denied the opportunity of hearing the programmmes that are likely to be of greater benefit to them and the country.”BBCI said it not only plays the role of collecting tolls and facilitating vehicles crossing the bridge and vessels transiting through the retractor opening and under the high span but also discharges its corporate social responsibilities.“More importantly, BBCI plays an integral part in the development of the nearby communities through its support to education, sports,Cheap Jerseys For Sale, supported national events and many charitable and non – charitable organizations in Regions Five and Six.”Over the last weekend, motorists travelling to Berbice were reportedly asked by staff if they were heading to the rally which reportedly drew an enormous crowd. The ones that answered in the affirmative were waved through while others were reportedly charged the normal toll.However, there were no details of where the orders to waive tolls came from.The Berbice Bridge itself has been facing problems. It had reportedly written to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), a shareholder, indicating that it was unable to pay dividends for last year.Also said to have shares in the bridge are the Hand-in-Hand Insurance Company, New Building Society, Demerara Distillers Limited, Beharry Group of Companies, Queens Atlantic Investment Inv (QAII), owned by Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, best friend of former President Bharrat Jagdeo.NIS, although sitting on billions of dollars in reserve, is facing long-term problems if it does not raise the number of contributions from employers and their workers. Currently, its expenses outstrip revenues.In a letter to the NIS, the bridge said that last year that it did not record a profit in 2014. |
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