Lula gets Guyana’s highest award

Nov 26, 2010 News

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Brazil has reiterated its intentions to collaborate with Guyana to build a hydro-electric plant and has tagged this with the planned paving of the Linden/Lethem road.
The comments were made last evening at the National Cultural Center by outgoing Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, who was conferred with Guyana’s highest civilian award, the Order of Excellence, for his global efforts contributions.
In his acceptance speech, Lula, as he is popularly known, said that the award is a symbol of the special friendship between Guyana and Brazil.
Taking the opportunity to argue for greater relations between the neighbours, the Brazilian statesman noted that the ties are strong with the ongoing cooperation at the Lethem border point with Bom Fim, with as many as 1,200 vehicles crossing each weekend.
Hydro plant
However, it was the hydro-power plant that the official zeroed in on, stressing that it would be an ideal situation for the Linden/Lethem road to be built at the same time. He emphasized that it would ultimately lead to greater development of Guyana’s interior, while at the same time improve trade ties. He also hinted at Guyana’s geographic access to the Caribbean and Brazil’s interest on capitalizing on this for trading purposes.
Regarding the fibre optic cable that Guyana is building to link the two countries, Lula disclosed that work has been completed at the Brazilian end.
So far, based on several bilateral agreements, Brazil had granted tax free access to Guyana’s goods and there is technical cooperation for the growth of rice, soya and corn, all evidence of the cooperation between the two countries.
The Brazilian President urged for a continued exploration of other areas with more Portuguese being taught in Guyana with the possibility of exchanges of students.
He also called on Guyana’s help to bridge the gap between the Caribbean and Latin American countries via CARICOM and MERCOSUR.
True Friend
In an evening filled with cultural presentations and attended by several foreign journalists, diplomats and local government officials, among others, President Bharrat Jagdeo who conferred the award, in justifying the recognition, noted that few people on the planet have contributed as much to human progress as the Brazilian leader.
“History will record him as a titan of our age. Guyana will remember him as a true friend.”
According to Jagdeo, President Lula’s life story is an inspiration.
“He left school at the age of 12 to shine shoes so that he could earn money, and provide for his family. He got a job in a factory two years later, and by the time he reached his twenties, he was an activist campaigning for better treatment in hospitals for poor people. The activist became a trade unionist, who recognized that the combined, collective action that is possible through the labour movement could be a force for justice.”
Lula’s move to become a trade unionist and then his progression to a political leader and later his steering of Brazil from a throes of dictatorship, are all inspirations.
“A remarkable story, which demonstrates that even though his individual circumstances changed immeasurably, President Lula stayed true to a deep, enduring conviction that it is possible to change circumstances and help others in the face of tremendous odds.”
This conviction was what drove the 12-year-old boy to go out and earn an income to take care of his family.
“It is also what drove the President whose leadership and compassion for others led to Brazil becoming the world’s eighth largest economy, a Brazil where more than 20 million people have been lifted out of extreme poverty, and a Brazil that is getting closer to meeting the goal of eradicating hunger.”
Jagdeo also highlighted Lula’s flagship programs – Fome Zero and Bolsa Familia – which are creating new life opportunities for tens of millions of Brazilian citizens.
“And his leadership means that Brazilian flair and vibrancy will enrich the world in the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. But President Lula has also dedicated himself to making an immense positive contribution that reached far beyond the borders of Brazil.”
World figure
According to Jagdeo, partly because of President Lula’s actions, the G20 now exists and ensures greater influence for the peoples of the developing world in shaping the decisions that impact on them.
“He helped to create UNASUR, which is enabling the nations of our continent – now all democratic – to work together to improve the lives of our citizens. He reached out to our brothers and sisters in Africa, the Arab world and elsewhere, helping to build new bridges with those regions and bring our peoples closer together.”
Lula also in 2003 established the World Social Forum which President Lula which enables progressive global policies to be advanced. “And at every international forum – whether it relates to combating trade injustice, addressing international crime, or fighting global poverty – Brazil leads in a way that advances the needs of the less powerful across the world. It is this leadership that influenced Guyana’s early decision to support Brazil’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.”
According to Jagdeo, Brazil’s transportation system is the world’s largest to be powered by clean energy.
“Brazil is finding new ways to create global food security through innovative approaches to agriculture. And Brazil has led the world in the fight against deforestation – its success in reversing historical deforestation trends in the Amazon will benefit every citizen on this planet and stands as one of President Lula’s greatest legacies.”
Regarding the Takutu Bridge which links Brazil and Guyana, Jagdeo pointed out that it is a potent symbol of the strengthening bonds between two peoples and in particular, the new economic opportunities that can be realized by citizens and businesses in both Guyana and Northern Brazil . The two Presidents had commissioned the Bridge last year.

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