Georgetown-Lethem road closer to reality

Detailed proposals of the long awaited road construction project from Georgetown to Lethem are to be unveiled by June, Presidential Adviser on Governance Gail Teixeira told Region Nine residents.

She made the announcement on the eve of Guyana’s 47th Independence anniversary at the St Ignatius benab, following a cultural presentation ahead of the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead at midnight.

“There are two major teams now between Guyana and Brazil, and Venezuela that have been meeting over the last few months… for the development of the road from Brazil to Georgetown, and in June, what is called the infrastructural team will be reporting to the presidents of the two countries on what are their proposals and designs and other issues,” Teixeira said.

The highly anticipated project is one that former Brazilian President Luis Inacio-Lula da Silva had assured would be the next major undertaking to follow the Takutu River Bridge that was commissioned in 2009.

When complete, the stretch of road will significantly reduce travel time which from Georgetown to Lethem takes about 12 to 13 hours at present, and make business more efficient, particularly the transport of goods and services.

Government, through the Public Works Ministry, has over the years been responsible for maintenance works on the long stretch of road which in the rainy season poses a challenge to commuters, particularly heavy-duty vehicles.

The paving of the road is also necessary given the large scale plantation type agriculture in the Rupununi Savannahs. In 2010, harvesting of rice in the Rupununi commenced at Moco Moco, Region Nine.

The Georgetown to Lethem road was chief among the priorities of a meeting between officials of Guyana and Brazil that led to the establishment of a border committee to focus on a regime for the frontier territories; Lethem and Bonfim.

The stringing of the 560 kilometres of fibre-optic cable from Brazil to boost Guyana’s Internet connectivity was also part of the agenda. The project that began in the third quarter of 2012 has reached the stage where it is expected to be operational by September this year.

Teixeira told residents to be optimistic about this project, and the opportunities that will be provided for communities in the hinterland where the cable passes through.
“Connectivity in terms of Internet is critical in this modern world of technology… young people want Twitter, BlackBerries and Facebook… the Internet is the gateway to information and also the possibilities and opportunities for this country to develop more industries and to create more jobs for our people,” Teixeira said.

Teixeira’s address also focused on developments in Amerindian communities under the current administration since 1992, and the opportunities which Amerindians have, quite unlike other countries’ natives.