-officials investigating
Following the commissioning of the Takutu Bridge last Monday, some residents of Lethem have expressed concern about the opening hours of the immigration and customs departments established specifically to deal with travellers using the link.
However, senior immigration and regional officials have said that to the best of their knowledge adequate provisions are in place, but have promised to look into the matter.
Residents told Stabroek News that the Customs and Immigration Office at Lethem ceases operations at 5 pm each day, forcing persons crossing the bridge after that time to return the following day to clear immigration and customs. Concerns were raised by the residents that persons who wish to engage in nefarious activities may take advantage of this absence of personnel after the closing time. The residents said that while Guyana closes its operations at 5 pm, the Brazilians keep theirs open until 7 pm.
One resident told this newspaper that she had been informed by an officer that the building was not equipped with electricity and that is why the office closes so early.
When the matter was raised, Regional Chairman for Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) Clarindo Lucas said that although the office officially closes at 5 pm, this is not due to the absence of electricity in the building. He said that the building is properly wired both with electrical and telephone lines. Lucas said that the decision to close Guyana’s office at 5 pm came after much discussion between the Brazilian and Guyanese authorities prior to the bridge being opened for traffic on July 31. He disclosed that at a forum involving representatives of both countries officials agreed that the operating hours at the Lethem Customs and Immigration office would be from 8 am to 5 pm. However, this schedule may have to be revised, Lucas conceded.
He suggested that when the schedule was originally agreed the authorities may not have taken into consideration that there is a bus that runs from Boa Vista to Bom Fim after 5 pm, which may contain passengers travelling to Lethem or other areas of Guyana.
However, the Regional Chairman said that although the office officially closes at 5 pm, personnel from the office are present to deal with persons arriving in Lethem later than this time. He said that he has not received any complaints from residents about them coming over the bridge after 5 pm and not being attended to by these officials. However, he promised to check with the Guyana Revenue Authority on the issue.
When Stabroek News contacted Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority Khurshid Sattaur via telephone and asked if he was aware of the issue he did not answer the question. Instead, he embarked on an angry tirade which included several expletives. During his outburst, he accused the newspaper among other things of trying “to nitpick” where the government was concerned. After a few minutes, this newspaper terminated the conversation.
Meanwhile Deputy Chief Immigration Officer Carol Lewis-Primo when contacted said that to the best of her knowledge, the Lethem Immigration Office was open from 7 am to 7 pm. She too promised to look into the matter.
