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.
All the kinks and does and don’t should have been worked out before any travel between both countries, but it seems as they are learning as the go.
Are visas required for Guyanese desirous of visiting Brazil? In 2001, I know they were as my job required me to be there on short notice and both Canadian and Guyanese citizens required visas for travel to Brazil. Citizens of Trinidad and Barbados and the European Union did not need visas.
What do you do Borapork?
SKY:
Enjoying my retirement. Did so at 57. Electrical Engineer, expertise in Broadcast Engineering. I also worked in Telecommunications setting up Central Offices in South America. Argentina, Chile and Brazil.
Very good. Congratulations.
I disagree with Amen-ra. Teething problems will obviously happen at the beginning, so they are to be expected.
This is fantastic news, as this will also aid with tourism, which will (eventually) aid Guyana’s ailing economy.
i disagree with you too, these things should’ve been worked out before all travel take place, for example how wise is it to come to the u.s and not know that you have to take a medical, and you just go and get your ticket and when time to travel you find out you have to get a medical, also get your tax exit before you leave the country.
wath tourism,these ppl have been comming in to guyana even befor this bridge so save me the drama plz.!!!
Amen-ra
there is no need for tax exit any more. Small things are worked out as you go. Recently we had a case where a business man was to travel from the USA on his private plane to Canada for a business meeting, at the last moment he had to cancel because he was not in position of an american passport.
All the necessary measures ie information for the Guyanese public about traveling requirements,what documents would be needed, should have been available well in advance before the opening of the bridge.
Lets hope all the necessary securities measures are in place, Brazil have a high crime rate and lots of Brazilians is leaving Brazil to settle in Guyana. Is there a vetting systems in place? or any body could just walk in an say they are a tourist?
And is the Guyanese going to be able to travel with the same ease as the Brazilians’, don think so .Harsher measures will be in place for Guyanese from the Brazilians side.
Was this bridge planed properly’, -if it was these issues would not have been emerging now. Seems it was just rushed, why’, -only the govt knows.
Guyana have their own crime problems the last thing Guyana wants is for the Brazilians adding to it.
So we expect a lot of Brazilian tourists coming over to Guyana and visiting the several tourist spots in GT and elsewhere. This should be very interesting.
How about publishing the requirements in the Newspapers, in brochures that advertise tourism in the Rupununi area and at the borders? Posting of requirements should have been in place when the Takatu bridge was officially opened. what else is new?
the inept govt of guyana should have in place all necessary
personnel and information there for the travelling public
dont wait untill a problem arise, brazil is ready what about
guyana why we can’t show some leadership sometime, mr sattur
only babling nonsense x/mas is around the corner traffic will
increase on both sides..
OH Gawd! there goes guyana again! putting the horse before cart and expect things to FALL IN PLACE..Mr.Sattaur NO GOOD SYSTEM FALLS IN PLACE..as syptem has to be PUT into place with a strong foundation.You all seem to be lacking STRUCTURAL THINKING/STRUCTURALISM…..PLAN YU WORK an den WORK YU PLAN…..These failures occur when every one wants POWA and no-one listenes to any-one
Grams!Dem boys goin ova deh because dem girls ova deh does show plenty skin,put in a lil complexion an yuh gat wan busy bridge all de time,me an all planning fo tek a walk deh, wid mih lil French know-how ah gon get de rush.
People .. people .. people .. this is not rocket science … the Guyana government needs to post notices in ALL of the guyanese newspapers listing what is required for travelling across the border to Brazil .. but then again .. for the Guyana government, which we all know lacks common sense, this would be a real stretch …
well all of you guys need to know that the Brazilian side all was prepared long b4, but we guyanese ppl think because its Brazil the can act the way the act in guyana or going to Suriname, we all need to rem Brazil is a Worl potentail also, and a very developed country, not the way many guyanese- american’s or canadians think that is only bush and amerindians, so the guyana side need to develop
Mr. Moderator I know that this isn’t the topic at hand here, but are you folks, especially the GoG aware that a real live-ammo WAR is on the brink brewing between Venezuela and Columbia. And further, that only yesterday Hugo Chavez ordered all of his military forces on ‘ready alert’ and to prepare themselves for full scale war. Although this has nothing to do with Guyana directly, nevertheless the GoG must prepare the GDF for any indirect military eventualities.
All of Guyana’s southern and western borders including Takutu crossing must now be fully maned by GDF military personnel. Folks, it appears that Guyana can’t catch an honest break at anything even when something like the opening of this Takutu bridge crossing beckons some economic prosperity.
Oh boy. The GDF will really protect Guyana.
WUH DEH GUN MAN IT WID, SLINGSHOT???