Lula: Brazil to explore funding for paving Lethem/Linden road
In the midst of a torrential downpour of rain, President Bharrat Jagdeo and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva yesterday cut the ribbon on the Takutu Bridge, officially commissioning the much-anticipated linkage between Guyana and Brazil.
The wet weather did not dampen any spirits at the official opening of the Takutu Bridge yesterday. From left, Commerce Minister Manniram Prashad, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, Ambassador to Brazil Harrinarine Nawbatt, President Bharrat Jagdeo and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva pose for photographs on the bridge with these young citizens who helped cut the ribbon. (Photo by Mark McGowan)
Shortly after the conclusion of the opening ceremony in Bon Fim, the weather threatened the symbolic cutting of the ribbon but both leaders exited their vehicles in the pouring rain and emerged sharing an umbrella in what seemed to be a deliberate attempt to demonstrate unity. Minutes earlier, both presidents had pledged to work closely together towards fostering closer ties between both countries.
During the opening ceremony, President Lula declared the opening of the long-in-the-works bridge to be the achievement of a dream that was thirty years old and said it “is the first physical link between two countries which for so long have turned their backs to each other.” He said that it would foster greater collaboration between the two territories and announced that the Brazilian government was coming on board to support Guyana with other initiatives.
Lula announced that the paving of Lethem to Linden highway would be the next challenge. This announcement was met with a loud applause by the capacity audience, which drew citizens from both countries.
Lula announced that a Brazilian Technical Mission will be in Georgetown at the end of this month to study the financial conditions for the project. Once completed, there would be a full land link between Boa Vista and Georgetown expanding prospects to Guyana and the entire northern region of Brazil, Lula noted.
Transport Minister Robeson Benn (right) receiving stamps from Post Master General Henry Dundas at Lethem yesterday. The stamps which bear pictures of the Takutu Bridge were released to coincide with the commissioning of the bridge. Regional Chairman Clarindo Lucas (seated at left) looks on. (Photo by Mark McGowan)
The Brazilian President also announced his country’s commitment to the construction of the much talked about 800 megawatts hydropower plant in Guyana. He announced that Brazilian officials will be visiting Georgetown in October to talk about this project. Lula, while emphasizing the importance of energy and electric power in carrying out all the potential for investment and cooperation between the two countries, said that he was “ready to have Brazilian companies finance the construction of hydropower plants in Guyana.” He said that this initiative would also benefit the Brazilian state of Roraima.
Lula noted that the bridge has already had its benefits for both countries, citing immediate benefits to frontier communities that were traditionally forgotten. Meanwhile, he announced that agriculture will be one of the avenues of investment that the country will be pursuing in Guyana. He stated that this was an opportunity for Brazilians to repeat their technological success in soya beans and rice in Guyana’s land. President Jagdeo is expected to meet Brazilian farmers in Boa Vista today.
He also called for the reduction in the imbalance of trade relations between the two countries, pointing out that the new bridge would help in the export of Guyanese products to Brazil. Lula said the bridge would also lead to a greater networking with Caricom and the rest of the region. “This bridge will also take Brazil to the Caribbean,” he declared. “I’m convinced that there will be no South American or even Latin American integration without the strong presence of the Caribbean,” he added. He noted that that is why Brazil recently joined the Caribbean Development Bank as a regional member. He also said that in 2010, the country will host the first Brazil/Caricom Summit.
Lula said too that the bridge would ensure that Guyana is fully incorporated into the network of South American nations.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaking at the opening of the Takutu Bridge yesterday.
Meanwhile, President Jagdeo emphasized that the bridge is an opportunity to improve trade and economic relations between the two countries, noting that trade has been relatively small despite the geographical proximity of the two countries. According to him, in 2004 trade between the two countries amounted to a modest US$9.7 million; most of which came from Brazilian imports. He said that this had almost doubled to about US$17.8 million in 2008.
Jagdeo also said inequality of the trade between Brazil and other Caricom territories was also disappointing. According to him, Caricom imports from Brazil have increased from US$744 million in 2004 to $1.2 billion in 2007. He said that despite this, exports by Caricom territories to Brazil have moved from US$38 million in 2004 to US$91 million in 2007. He, however, expressed the hope that this will change with the new link. He pointed out that the new bridge will help Guyana to trade more items under the Guyana/Brazil partial scope agreement, which he said Guyana has not benefited from fully as yet. The Takutu Bridge provides Caricom goods and services providers access to one of the top ten economies of the world, Jagdeo pointed out.
Jagdeo was high in praise for President Lula and his government for the support they had given to the project. He also expressed gratitude to the Brazilians for the help they were offering to other major projects the country was undertaking. He said that as both countries worked together both nations stood to benefit.
He identified several areas for partnership, including the development of ICTs through fibre optic cables, and the filling of critical gaps in air transport.
Meanwhile, Regional Chairman of Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) Clarindo Lucas in a brief address noted the positive implications for both territories. He said the introduction of several special regimes will encourage the movement of goods and transportation, while there is also the potential for economic growth and the potential for tourism.
This will also encourage cultural mixing, he said.
Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett signed a Memorandum of Understanding with her counterparts from Brazil, touching on issues related to Defence Cooperation (cooperation in sharing intelligence), promotion of Trade and Investment, Control of the Carambola fruit fly, Geological Mapping on both sides of borders, the establishment of a Frontiers Committee, the establishment of Special Regimes in the region and cultural cooperation.
The long-awaited bridge was opened to traffic in July, after a controversial informal opening in April by the governor of the Brazilian state of Roraima. Several prominent Guyanese from Lethem had attended but the ceremony had not been sanctioned by Guyana.
Barrels were eventually placed on the Guyana side to thwart traffic from Brazil. Construction was completed several months ago, years after construction had started. It had encountered several snags.
In April 2007, construction resumed on the bridge, six years after work had ceased owing to financial irregularities and after an initial start-up. In February 2005, Lula had made a pledge in Guyana’s parliament to have the bridge completed by the end of the same year.
During Lula’s visit he had said he was very aware of the importance of the bridge for Guyana and the northern states of Brazil, particularly the land-locked state of Roraima and he had indicated that he would visit Guyana for the commissioning of the bridge linking the two countries across the Takutu River.
After the financial irregularity was sorted out, the Brazilian National Congress in 2006 approved the sum of US$3 million (Rs$6 billion) to the Brazilian Ministry of Transportation to resume work on the bridge. However, it was not until April 2007 that actual work on the bridge resumed.
Apart from the importance of the bridge for trade in goods and services, including rice and sugar with Brazil, it is widely expected that the link would provide a much needed service to, and give seaport access to the landlocked state of Roraima. The bridge and route will also facilitate tourism and travel between the two countries.
I am not very good with Spanish, so perhaps some linguist will confirm whether the word Takutu translates to MADE AND IMPORTED FROM BRASIL.
We cannot fight progress however Guyuana must study carefully her cross-border balance of payments with Brasil.
The official language of Brazil is Portuguese and not Spanish.
See what I mean, BORAPORK! Now we have to learn such things!
Many have already started speaking Portugese. Right here on these blogs.
SATISH! Brazilians speak Portuguese, not Spanish. Anyway, Takatu is a native Guyanese word, neither Portuguese nor Spanish.
“Boo hoo hoo. Me so sad. The Guyana government dem complete the bridge and it makes them look so good. Boo hoo. hoo..Help me, Reddy help me….”
I am surprised we didnt name the bridge after Lenin or something like that.
Guyana government completed what part of the bridge? the toilet?
This is the first bridge that i have seen that has the most openings!!!!
There is always a first time for everything empty head…always negative…
What ever are you guys talking about!!! And, the personal views aside (given that this is between you and him) SandMan having made it to Sandhurst (and, whatever happened thereafter) should have at least tell one that he a least had “something” in his head.
Btw, are the “openings” you are talking about concerns “Section 6 (MI6)”!!! Now, what does this make “Soldier (Opposition Forces at Work)”!
And, are there any “pumpkin vines” by that bridge that one can see through those “openings” that you are talking about?
Cool!
hahahhahaha LOL Sandman you are on the money my good man and watch for it to show up in the PPP’s list of achievements.
Except for the description of “controversial” (SN and other ill-informed and misguided press management made it “controversial” with irresponsible speculation)to an eralier informal celebration of the end of actual concrete laying, this is a good story. It shows the continued development and progress in Guyana especially as it pertains to our relations with Brazil. This is a win-win situation for both countries.
Long live continued friendship of the peoples and govenments of Guyana and Brazil !
Re: “Except for the description of “controversial” (SN and other ill-informed and misguided press management made it “controversial” with irresponsible speculation)to an earlier informal celebration of the end of actual concrete laying, this is a good story…”
Well, not bad from a media that was once under the ads revenue death sentence and one that provide for “spin doctors” (who hang out at Caribbean beaches) and others around the world that which cannot be obtained from the state controlled media.
Jah Is Great!
Reddy , only you can see the “continued development and progress in Guyana” . Under the PPP , guyanese are fleeing their homeland , criminals are very comfortable in Guyana . The Brazilians will sell more of their goods to the guyanese than the guyanese sell to the Brazilians . Also more cocaine will enter Guyana for trans-shipment to other countries .
Guyana is well on its way to becoming the Northern most state of Brazil. If you take into consideration that, with its vast natural resources, we have failed to run the country to our benefit since independence, then by all means let sombody else do it. But will it be to our benefit?
I am very concerned EX GDF. Guyana govt does not have the will and the ways and means to prevent exploitation of the land and its people by its own leaders. You think they will fear better with the Brazillians? I don’t think so. The deals have already been made and bridged. The rich will get richer.
This could very well be the biginning of the end of Guyana as we know it.
Sure EX ! You can rest assure that Guyana will soon be soccer champions of the Caribbean. Now , how about that.
Ceasing i hope you are right!
CSINGH, I made your last sentence in a previous blog and was crucified for it, but I will say it again. What we are seeing is the begining of the end of Guyana as we know it and Guyanese as we know them.
Brazilians will be pouring over that bridge like ants over the coming years. Whether that is good or bad for the country is debatable, but unless the people who run our country look at both sides of the coin and put things in place to protect us, we may well rue the day that bridge was built.
ex soldier this might be blessing in diguise.we na benefitting now might as well brazil use it we mite get some crumbs. it can`t get worst that wat it is now.
chavez can opening another from his country to this wild west it will be more interesting.
Jamar, I am also concerned about the fact that Chavez is building his military at a fast rate. I don’t know if you bloggers read of his recent agreement to buy military hardware and nuclear tec. from the Russians. As soon as he feel that he could handle Brazil he will be telling them that the bridge across the Takatu rests on his land.
If he decides to to play diplomat with Brazil he will just put a bridge at Eterinbang without consulting Jagdeo and move his people in to develop what they believe is theirs. Chavez is not going to standby and watch Brazil reap the hog off what he believes belong to him and not do anything. Have we forgotten what happened when a foreign oil company was searching for oil in the Rupununi many years ago before some of you were born?
I think you’ve misunderstood Samaroo. I am NOT an advocate of this bridge. I hope to be proven wrong, but I don’t see how this will benefit the average Guyanese. What do we know about this venture except that Brazil financed and constructed it? Brazil will soon build the super highway from Lethem to Linden. Brazil will soon build a seaport. Why Samaroo??? WHY??? What do you know that I don’t.
EX GDF,I’ll pretend I did not read you. Look at the map.Brazil already has Belem,direct access on the Atlantic,east of Guyana and east of Cayenne.About 300 miles away.It has over 1000 miles of coastline there.
No I didnt misunderstand you at all, I hope you are right and Guyana ceases to remain the abyss that it has been the past 40 odd years.
Congratulations to all who hand in seeing this project through to completion. As mentioned in the article the seeds for this bridge were planted 30 years ago which means during the P.N.C. regime. Guyana needs more projects of this nature and must increase its trade with our bigger and more powerful neighbour. Help in sports and development of tourism are other avenues to be pursued.
During the PNC regime there was also plans to FEED, CLOTHE AND HOUSE the nation,remember that one.
This is very bad news for those doomsday naysayers.
SN must be terribly hurt to print news like this.
Ow budday ow, what did PPP have to do to get this bridge built sign a piece of paper?
Ow tek credit man tek credit, rewrite history and haller ppp build the bridge.
How many men from the army did PPP contribute to help build this bridge?
YES, MY FRIEND it is VERY BAD NEWS FOR THEM,.. the beginning of the SN, report sounded almost like a funeral lithurgy… ” the pouring rain, they huddled un der an umbrella to show unity,… “”‘etc.. cry,, cry cry,,.. and then the reporter almost CHOKED, when he / she had to write the firm and unambiguous pledges by the BAZILIIAN president, to follow up with help for paved road s and HYDROPOWER… ALL SOUR GRAPES”.. then the exiles with tails between legs”.. come in with, WE GOT TO BE CAREFULL, THEY DONT TEK OVER”".. ETC, ETC.., really a sad day for the ALIENS,. but a joyous one for the guyanese patriots… and of course another victory, to the brilliant .,hardworkin PRES…. HIS EXELLENCY B AR. JAGDEO…
Two giants of socialism Lula and big Jag, now if Obama could just sum up the courage and come out the closet.
GTBEAT, Jagdoe is a communist not socialist. Big difference my man big difference. He is also a dictator lula is not.
This is a signal development that has been long overdue. The next step is to push relentlessly for:
(i) paving
(ii)improvement of harbour facilities either in the Essequibo or Demerara Rivers
(iii) professional security services
(iv)imaginative duty free zone that will attract interest from investors from the major business capitals of the world.
Hello Indian , now that Guyanese can migrate to Brazil and find gainful employment , the illegal immigrants hiding in Barbados can now return to their homeland and give us some space . Brazil has plenty industries and land . Next build a highway and a bridge to Venezuela . At least 15,000 jobs for Guyanese , at home and in Brazil . Reddy can lead the exodus from Barbados to Guyana .
Wiggins – they don’t need the bridge to get to Brazil or Venezuela. Those border are open zones.
It’s good to see that the bridge is now officially open, and trade between the two countries will increase, now the full invasion by brazil will commensurate this will give brazillians easy access to guyana to work and visit and guyanese will do the same.
What exactly is Guyana going to trade with Brazil?
Ideally if we can trade the PPP for some glass like jewels and shiny objects we will……
Ceasing you are out of your league here budday, The Brazilians today can get resources to their northern towns much easier through Guyana and can start purchasing rice and a ton of other locally produced goods as well as extend their mining operations in Guyana.
I am hoping that the Brazilians start investing big time in Guyana and this way the Brazilians can nudge the PPP towards more democratic norms.
There is much for Guyana to gain in cooperation from Brazil but we do not manage that relationship properly. If Guyana were to ask lula trust me we would get the hydro project funded.
One small step that will lead to a journey of a thousand miles between the two countries. Hydro power can now fall within the realm of feasibility and reality once Brazil joins into the equation, since it becomes part of their national interest too instead of another foreign investment venture by a western IFI.
Brazil has many of the solutions and answers Guyana need, but we must use this as a source to impliment and compliment our own determined effort and development. If we lay back and wait for the Brazilians to solve everything then we will only end up as a satellite state of the larger country.
Congratulations to both presidents on the completion of this most significant bridge between the two countries.
Joe.
What Venezuela tried to take by force, Brazil is now buying. It will be interesting to see if anything will ‘trickle down’ to the average citizen of Guyana.
Ceasing what is trickling down now budday? please do tell
The rain was a significant spiritual acknowledgement that the spirit gods of the Amazon has found favor in this venture.Now we need a ceremonial blessing by tribal Shaman’s from both countries.
Joe.
There is no need for that because we are never divided in our minds. We are always One Native People living on one land from time immemorial. It is the outsiders who came and divided up our land and separated us – the Native People.
PIYASANG, I of all people should have seen it that way but due to my western influence I did not. You are perfectly right. One indivisable Amerindian nation under god.
Joe.
Hey Piyasang check what Sharief Khan wrote in GC
“..Crossing the Takutu River in a small boat to get to Bon Fim and then to Boa Vista showed me how little border matter to people as some Amerindians were my fellow travellers as they had no passports or visas to get into Brazil..”
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (13 Sept. 2007) article 36 states:
1. Indigenous peoples, in particular those divided by international borders, have the right to maintain and develop contacts, relations and cooperation, including activities for spiritual, cultural, political, economic and social purposes, with their own members as well as those peoples across borders.
2. States,in consultation and cooperation with indigenous peoples, shall take effective measures to facilitate the exercise and ensure the implementation of this right.