Foreign-registered vehicles abound in Lethem

Mar 12, 2009 News

…KN reporter uses one as a taxi

Brazilian and Venezuelan vehicles used by residents in Lethem.

Chairman of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce, John Macedo has responded to the issue of Venezuelan vehicles in Region Nine.
The response followed the publication of an article “Customs officials seize Venezuelan-registered vehicles from Lethem businessmen,” which appeared in Wednesday’s edition of Kaieteur News.
Macedo alleges that all of the vehicles mentioned in the Kaieteur News article were “not in use, that they were all parked awaiting the completion of the draft policy by Customs to determine whether they can remain here or be returned.”

In a letter sent to various media houses, Macedo said that over the past few decades, persons living in the Rupununi had found it necessary to have Brazilian and Venezuelan vehicles, since the trail, linking Region Nine to Georgetown, had become so bad.
Macedo contends that approximately three years ago, when these foreign vehicles became popular, he approached the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for guidance.

In the letter, Macedo said that the GRA had said “there was no problem in having the vehicles in Lethem, but not in Georgetown.” This information was passed on to Lethem residents, said Macedo.
Last year, Macedo said that the GRA seized a number of vehicles in Lethem. Concerning these seized vehicles, various representations were made, and the GRA indicated that a policy would be drafted on the way forward.

According to Macedo, the GRA said that “the draft has been completed and is being looked at.”
He made it clear that the vehicles mentioned in the Kaieteur News article were not the only Brazilian and Venezuelan vehicles in Lethem. He said the Kaieteur News correspondent, Brian Sam, who furnished the information for the article in question, owns one of these vehicles, which he uses for passenger services, “even picking up in front of the Police Station.”

Kaieteur News correspondent, Brian Sam, in front of his Brazilian registered car.

Macedo also cited an example of GRA officer, Julian George, who also drives one of these vehicles around.
Nothing is being done by the relevant authorities concerning these other vehicles, he said.
The GRA is aware of these vehicles, and Macedo maintains that he even handed GRA Officer, Boodnauth Basdeo the keys for the silver/grey, double cab Toyota Hilux, which was discovered near to his ranch. He added that he also showed Basdeo how to use the vehicle.

Additionally, the Toyota Land Cruiser which was discovered in the yard of the Regional Chairman of Region Nine, Clarindo Lucas, said Macedo, was in Lucas’s front yard, in plain sight. He added that the officer-in-charge of the Lethem Police Station lives next door to Lucas, and could see the vehicle.
The Toyota Prado, which was mentioned in the article, was also reportedly in plain sight.

Macedo sought to clear his name, especially since in the Kaieteur News article it was said that Macedo was arrested in Georgetown, on January 17, for another vehicle which entered Guyana illegally.
In his letter, Macedo said that he was given permission by the Commissioner of Customs to take the vehicle to Georgetown for 14 days. He said that it was not the first time such permission had been given to him, and other residents of Lethem, to travel to Georgetown with a foreign registered vehicle.

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