Unless the Linden/Lethem trail is paved, the expected business capacity which is anticipated by the authorities in the region would not be fulfilled.
This is according to Regional Chairman Clarindo Lucas who told Stabroek News yesterday that he is aware that there are ongoing discussions between the governments of Brazil and Guyana on paving of the trail linking the coastland to the border community.
He said that several weeks ago the Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana, Antonio Jose Ferreira Simoes paid a courtesy call on him and it was during interactions that he asked whether the ambassador would be able to convince his government regarding providing assistance for paving of the road.
He said the ambassador noted that the Brazilian government has been looking at paving the road which is seen as a main link between the business communities in the two countries and Lucas noted that unless this is done, the anticipated development of the business community at Lethem would take some time to expand.
The Brazilians recently submitted a proposal to President Bharrat Jagdeo for “his consideration” outlining how some funding could be secured for the road and the Head of State later met several business persons who operate between the coastland and Lethem to discuss the impact the state of the road has had on their businesses. The Brazilians’ offer was also discussed at the meeting, a source said.
Ambassador Simoes, Brazil’s Undersecretary-General for South and Central America and the Caribbean, who was in Guyana for a one-day visit, said that the road is a “priority” in Guyana-Brazil relations.
The trail has been fixed, with the two main affected sections – the Hunt Oil and Cork Wood areas – being upgraded to an acceptable level, a bus operator said yesterday.
Lucas noted that traffic has been flowing along the road without any hiccups and Stabroek News understands that the Intraserv bus service has resumed operations, after officials from the company carried out inspections of the road.
Persons at Lethem told Stabroek News yesterday that the authorities should seriously consider upgrading the road to an all-weather road as soon as possible since the rains will always dictate the state of the road. With the next rainy season due in three months time, one resident said, the authorities should make use of the current break in the inclement weather.
The Cork Wood section of the road, located south of the Iwokrama Rainforest Centre was slightly slushy, a passenger who travelled to the city told this newspaper yesterday, but he noted that the soft texture of the soil present in the area is susceptible to rainy weather.
The section of the road lies in a mountainous area under the forest canopy and as such drainage has been difficult.
The 18-mile long Hunt Oil Stretch, which is located between Annai and Lethem, is also susceptible to water accumulation as it is on flatlands with limited alternatives for drainage.
The Lethem business community noted recently that it would welcome any attempts by the authorities to upgrade the trail. Chairman of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) Alfred Ramsarran said the business community is looking forward to an all-weather road.
He said recent closures of sections of the road to vehicular traffic, especially the heavy vehicles, saw the area suffering a lot.
