Lethem lobbying for awareness campaign

Following the recent opening of the Takutu Bridge, a sensitisation campaign is being urged to target Guyanese travelling to Brazil, according to Rupununi Chamber of Com-merce representative Daniel Gajie.

Daniel Gajie

The call has found support in Head of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Khurshid Sattaur, although he estimated that because there has not been heightened activity it may still be too early for such a campaign to be effective.

Speaking at a University of Guyana symposium on Guyana–Brazil relations on Wednesday, Gajie, the immediate past president of the Chamber and a resident of Lethem, explained that over the last weeks there has been a tremendous increase in traffic to Lethem. While there are yet to be teething problems, Gajie said it was obvious that there is need for persons to be sensitised about the various requirements that need to be met if they want to go over to Brazil. “I think people need to be sensitised about what is allowed and what is not,” Gajie told Stabroek News in a subsequent interview. “Lethem and Brazil [are] on everyone’s lips and people are coming to Lethem and expecting to visit Brazil, so it is important that they know the ground rules,” he added. He explained that with the new border control systems established on both sides, particularly on the Brazilian end, what was bypassed prior to the commissioning is no longer ignored.

According to him, there have been instances where persons clear the Guyana border control systems but then when they get over to the Brazilian side they are turned back. He pointed to the yellow fever vaccination and certification as well as proper documentation for vehicles wishing to enter Brazil as examples. He said there is a National Co-ordinating Committee which has not met for quite some time but had been working on a number of issues as regards this border control.

Gajie posited that Guyana should tap into Brazil’s experiences in manning several borders with its other neighbours. “We are not as experienced as they are, because the only other such system we have is at Moleson Creek at the Guyana-Suriname ferry crossing,” he explained. Additionally, he noted that for the sensitization efforts to be successful it would have to be a collaborative effort by the authorities on both sides.

Gajie said however that it is his hope that by January the situation is better. He acknowledged that like with any new system, there would be teething problems and persons would have to be educated accordingly, since many will take advantage of the opportunities the link presents. “A lot of the systems have already kicked in and many issues are sometimes solved right on the spot and while some information has already been made available we need a heightened sensitisation drive,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Sattaur told Stabroek News that so far there has only been a “trickle” of movement and he was optimistic that all systems will fall in place in time and that what currently obtains caters for that degree of movement.

Sattaur added that the revenue authority has prepared relevant documentation as well as booklets and pamphlets. But he admitted that it may not be “reaching the targeted people.” More awareness, he agreed, would encourage persons to comply. But he opined that it was a question of having the right vehicle to transmit the information. He pointed out that the process for driving over to Brazil requires multi-agency involvement. Vehicles are not allowed to go into Brazil unless certain criteria are fulfilled. Additionally, there are also restrictions on taking firearms, petroleum products, tobacco, vehicles and alcoholic beverages.

Sattaur said the revenue body had already put certain systems in place but they need to be finalised. “All the agencies will have to work together and the entire system will work in time,” he assured.