Lula, Jagdeo commission Takutu Bridge

Sep 15, 2009 News

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The Takutu bridge, which connects Lethem and the south east of Guyana, to the northern Brazilian state of Roraima, was officially commissioned yesterday by President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva.
The ceremony was held in Bom Fin, a small town on the Brazilian side of the border, which was classified recently by the authorities as a port of entry to facilitate the movement of people and goods from Guyana, before the ribbon cutting ceremony on the bridge.
There was a large turnout, of hundreds of Brazilians as well as numerous Guyanese who travelled across the border, to witness this historic occasion.
President Jagdeo expressed gratitude to his Brazilian counterpart whose support, he noted, was pivotal in ensuring the bridge’s completion.
“There could be no more tangible demonstration of President Lula’s commitment to this project,” President Jagdeo said.
Among his commendations to the Brazilian President, the Guyanese Head of State praised President Lula’s lifelong dedication to the cause of promoting social development and equity among people which has entourage.
Also speaking at the opening ceremony were the Governor of the Brazilian state of Roraima, and the chairman of Region Nine, Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo Clarindo Lucas.
President Lula stressed that the commissioning of the bridge is only the start, stating, “today, we take a concrete and irreversible step to integrate Guyana and Brazil and bring prosperity to our people.”
Among the many sentiments which the Brazilian President expressed about the structure was the fact that it will incorporate Guyana “once and for all” into South America and serve as a pathway for Brazil into the Caribbean.
“The construction of this bridge over the Takutu River is the proof that peace and prosperity are built through integration and by confidence building,” President Lula said.
He added that the bridge complements the plan to integrate the two countries’ Amazonian heritage, change the perception of Guyana and Brazil as just being neighbours and turn the two frontiers into a meeting point.
The two Heads of State held a high level discussion before the ceremony and the Brazilian leader, said that his Guyanese counterpart, had highlighted the need for the development of hydropower.
OTHER AGREEMENTS
In addition to the commissioning of the Takutu Bridge, several technical techno-Cooperation agreements were signed between Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and International Corporation Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and her Brazilian counterpart Celso Luiz Nunes Amorim.
The two foreign ministers signed a memorandum of understanding, for the creation of a frontier committee, and for the promotion of trade and investment.
Minister Rodrigues-Birkett also signed a cooperation agreement with the Brazilian Minister of Defence, Nelson Jobim on national defence matters.
The Brazilian Ministry of Communications and National Postal Service also unveiled a commemorative stamp to celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations, between the two neighbours.
Construction of the Takutu bridge intensified in April 2007 after a six-year delay. Back in February 2005 the Brazilian President made a pledge in Guyana’s parliament to have the bridge completed by the end of the same year.
During his visit to Guyana 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.
On the Guyana side, a multi-purpose complex in Lethem, Region Nine, funded by Government at a cost of $38.2M was built to provide accommodation for customs, immigration, security and other agencies needed at the trans-boundary location.
The Guyana Government has also always had a vested interest in development of the Linden/Lethem roadway and in April 2008, started a pre-feasibility study.
During a meeting with President Jagdeo at State House, in July this year Governor of the State of Roraima, Jose de Achieta Junior had discussed the possibilities of Brazil financing the Linden/Lethem road project.
Speaking through his translator, President Lula said once such an infrastructure (Linden/Lethem road) is complete it will represent a total land link between Boa Vista and Georgetown and “an expansion of the prospects for development between Guyana and the entire Northern region of Brazil.”
The stretch of road can be divided into several sections, beginning with Wismar to Mabura Hill, Mabura Hill to 15 Miles and 15 Miles to Lethem. The road is one of the most important road network used by heavy volumes of traffic travelling to the hinterland areas.

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