Work on the completion of the bridge across the Takutu River to link Guyana and Brazil by road is expected to recommence towards the end of this month under the supervision of the engineering corps of the Brazilian army.

Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana Arthur VC Meyer told the Stabroek News in a brief telephone interview yesterday that the work would be done by several contractors, who have already signed contracts to this effect with the Federal Government of Brazil, but under the supervision of the Brazilian army.

The Ambassador said the contractors have begun the mobilization of materials to restart the work. Once work starts on the bridge it is expected that it would be completed in six months.

Last month, the Brazilian National Congress approved the sum of US$3 million (Rs$6 billion) to the Brazilian Ministry of Transportation to resume work on the bridge which had been halted five years ago following the discovery of financial irregularities. Apart from the importance of the bridge for trade in goods and services, including rice and sugar with Brazil, Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Dr Henry Jeffrey said that it would also provide a much needed service to, and give seaport access to the landlocked State of Roraima.

However, he said a current area of concern is Guyana’s exports to Brazil being hindered by the lack of a port of entry at Bom Fin in Brazil. The port of entry is currently at Boa Vista and this is posing a problem for Guyanese exporters.

Jeffrey also said that the cross-border vehicle insurance agreement is likely to be signed within this first quarter. A meeting is scheduled to take place in Guyana before the end of this quarter to deal with this issue.

Negotiations are currently taking place between insurance companies of Guyana and Brazil to facilitate the harmonisation of cross-border vehicle insurance in keeping with the transport agreement between Guyana and Brazil.

(Miranda La Rose)