Corentyne River Bridge is a joint project — President Ali

Amid reports that Suriname wants to solely build the proposed Corentyne River Bridge, President Dr Irfaan Ali has emphasised that the project remains a joint undertaking and stressed that he has not received any official correspondence on changes to the development plan.

“Our position is very clear: the Corentyne River Bridge is a project that is being discussed jointly by the Government of Guyana and the Government of Suriname,” President Ali told reporters on the sidelines of an event on Wednesday.

He added, “Guyana is interested in being part of a project that covers two sovereign sides in a joint manner…. There is no other official position before me, there is no other request before me.”

Earlier this week, it was reported that Suriname’s Public Works and Spatial Planning Minister Stephen Tsang said his government would finance the construction of a bridge over the bordering Corentyne River.

The Corentyne River Bridge is seen as a critical infrastructure project aimed at strengthening connectivity between Guyana and Suriname, while also advancing broader regional integration with Brazil.

Guyana and Suriname had agreed to jointly develop the link, and in 2022, a US$2 million contract was signed for the feasibility study and design of the bridge. China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), which worked on the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), is among five companies shortlisted to build the bridge. Guyanese officials have said funding for the project is still being sought.

Construction of the bridge was also discussed when Surinamese President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons met with President Ali in September 2025. The two leaders reviewed ongoing cooperation and agreed on concrete steps to deepen ties in energy, agriculture, fisheries, trade, and border matters, while pushing ahead with the bridge project.

President Ali said on Wednesday that Guyana’s Finance Minister is engaging Surinamese authorities on the recent statements, but maintained that Guyana’s position on the joint development of the bridge remains clear.

“If any other request is made, then at that time I’ll be in a position to pronounce on it,” he said.