Dear Editor,
The recent newspaper report suggests that the government must be congratulated for advancing an initiative to make the Georgetown/Brazil road a reality, and so fulfil, the dreams and aspirations of several generations of Guyanese.
The idea of a road link into Brazil linking with one of our ports is something I heard about as a child.
It was reported that the American car maker, Henry Ford had a grand idea of a road network to link North America to South America. We were told at that time, that the British Government did not share that enthusiasm, and the project apparently foundered. However, the dream for a road to Brazil never faded.
The 1970’s Self Help Hinterland Road Project, which attracted students from the Caribbean and elsewhere, and the National Service was part of an effort to fulfill this dream.
Later, the European Union, as I recall it, supported a road to Brazil through Kurupukari. If my memory serves me well, (I cannot now put my hand on documents) in 1961, two possible routes were identified, one through Mahdia using the Parika/Bartica coastal link and the Linden/Mahdia route via Bartica and through the Potaro road.
Sometime in the late 1960’s or early 70’s after surveys were done, two overland trips were made by J. Henry Thomas who was Minister of Economic Development and Mr Philip Allsopp, Chief Works Officer. This established the feasibility of a road route. As we seek to realise what must be the expectation of every Guyanese patriot, I hope that the Ministry of Information would prepare a document giving a faithful resume of earlier efforts to this grand idea.
My recollection may be faulty, but I believe if our road engineers of that era are consulted, a proper dossier can be prepared, not only for posterity, but to help create excitement for our young people who must use this road link with pride.
May I add this caveat, even though we appreciate the money by the international lending agencies for more and more feasibility studies, there exists in our archives, enough information coupled with the wisdom and knowledge of men such as Philip Allsopp to hasten the consultancy process, so that funds available are directed more to actual construction of this road, which will open up more our potential for development.
I commend this latest initiative.
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green, JP
