(Kaieteur News) – President Irfaan Ali has confirmed that Guyana has received no official communication from Paramaribo regarding reports that Suriname intends to unilaterally finance and own the planned $236 million Corentyne River Bridge. Speaking on the sidelines of a swearing-in ceremony for puisne judges on Wednesday, President Ali emphasised that Georgetown’s position remains unchanged and that the megaproject remains a bilateral initiative.

“I have not received anything official, other than what’s already been placed in the media,” President Ali stated. “The Corentyne River bridge is a bridge that is being discussed jointly as a joint project by the Government of Guyana and the Government of Suriname. Guyana is interested in being part of a project that covers two sovereign states in a joint manner. That has always been our vision.”

President Ali also noted that river operations remain unaffected by the political back-and-forth, confirming with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that no recent challenges or complaints have been reported by operators or users of the river. “I have not received any complaint from any of the operators on any challenge of recent,” the President noted. “I have not received any complaint of any challenge from the users of the river in recent times. And I have confirmed this also with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As you are aware, the efforts continue.”