Dear Editor,

On the Brazilian side of the newly built bridge across the Takutu River, aggressive work is going on at present, constructing a Brazil free zone and commercial area, Customs buildings, etc. The Brazilians have already surfaced the main roads in Bon Fim, and are working day and night to pave the secondary roads as well.

Bon Fim enjoys 24-hour electricity, street lights and a reliable water supply. On our side of the border, our roads remain red and dusty, we do not get electricity for six hours every day, we have no street lights, and the water supply is inconsistent.
The Brazilians are obviously sensing and anticipating the economic development when this bridge opens.

So why are we sleeping on this side? Are the powers-that-be not feeling the pulse too? Will our friendly neighbours be the first to grasp the opportunities here and begin to buy up properties and open businesses, as they are doing in Georgetown?

Since the Brazilians have all the equipment on the other side of the border, and since their standard of road building far exceeds the substandard work done here in the past, my one question is – why not get them to pave our roads in Lethem and then continue from here to Linden? Most Lethem residents are asking the same question.

If there are no serious ramifications to this proposal, and with a full understanding from both governments, then there can only be winners on both sides, as there has been with the Brazil-Venezuela highway.

Yours faithfully,
Gloria Lye