Latest update April 11th, 2025 9:20 AM
Brazil talks for Mazaruni hydro, paving Linden/Lethem road progressing
Guyana and neighbouring Brazil are continuing its intense talks for the building of a major hydro-power project in the Mazaruni, Region Seven, and the paving of a critical Linden/Lethem road.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Guyana-Brazil Joint Commission on Infrastructure Projects met over the past days at the Guyana International Conference Centre. The discussions centred around the progress related to the hydropower project in the Mazaruni and the Linden-Lethem road, the Ministry said.
President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Foreign Affairs (ag), Robeson Benn with the Brazilian team headed by Governor of Roraima, Francisco Rodrigues (4th from right).
Governor of the State of Roraima, Francisco Rodrigues, and Senator Romero Juca, Vice President of the Brazilian Senate, travelled to Georgetown to participate in the meeting.
According to the Ministry, they paid a courtesy call on President Donald Ramotar during which discussions were held on potential areas for new cooperation between the two countries, including air-links.
“In expressing their views on the current projects under discussion in the Joint Commission, both the Governor and Senator reiterated the political commitment of Brazil to the infrastructure projects and highlighted the importance of the Linden-Lethem highway as one which was extremely strategic for the integration of Guyana and Brazil and more particularly, was a vital link for the communities of the State of Roraima and Western Amazonas and Guyana.”
The Ministry said that Brazil is continuing to show intense interest in especially the hydro-power project, the Linden/Lethem road and a deep water harbour as initiatives that could contribute to the further development of both countries.
At the meeting also was Robeson Benn, Minister of Public Works, who underscored Guyana’s commitment to the projects.
At the technical level, the delegations were led by Ambassador Elisabeth Harper, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador Clemente Baena Soares, Director of the Department of South America, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil.
Taking part in the meetings also were officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Public Works, Transport and Energy of Brazil and Guyana, the Office of the Governor of the State of Roraima, the Office of the President of Brazil, the Brazilian Embassy in Guyana, the Office of the Prime Minister of Guyana, the Guyana Energy Agency, National Commercial and Investments Ltd (NICIL), Eletrobras and the Guyana Power and Light Company, as well as the Consortium.
Guyana has been pulling out all stops to build its own hydro-electric facility but the US investor pulled out last year after a Parliamentary deadlock on critical legislation for the project.
The Linden/Lethem Road itself, providing linkages between the two countries, is a critical artery to many hinterland communities and mining areas. But it will cost a hefty sum – money that Guyana does not have at the moment.
Already, Guyana and Brazil have collaborated with the Takutu Bridge, which links the neighbours at Lethem, a border community in Region Nine.
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