Dear Editor,
The Guyana-Brazil border in Lethem is our high profile international road link with the Takutu Bridge, providing easy access to our giant neighbour. One would expect that our facilities would match the importance of the area. However, looking at the two ports of entry/departure of Guyana and Brazil, just a few hundred metres apart, is like looking at two completely opposite worlds.
While Brazil has its state of the art complex, Guyana has a building that could easily pass for a primary school in an outlying, remote community. It could probably be argued that the difference in wealth between the two countries is reflected in the buildings, but hearing about the great hopes that our government has in this area for trade, one would have expected us to be a little more ambitious in terms of our infrastructure.
However, it is not only in the area of infrastructure that Guyana seems to be lagging, but also in the mode of operation of the complex. While our Brazilian neighbours have a simple checkpoint system which reflects quality and efficiency, Guyana has a system which borders on the primitive.
When one is departing Lethem for Bon Fim, the vehicles are forced to squeeze through metal barriers that have been erected as the checkpoint. It takes a very skilful driver to negotiate these which are set at such an angle that only a very sharp turn will allow you to pass through, bringing back memories of your driving test. The room for error is extremely small, and a minor misjudgment will have you counting vehicle maintenance expenses. While focusing on this tricky piece of driving you are also forced to acknowledge the GRA and police officers who sit in a small crowded hut in the searing Rupununi sun.
As you cross the bridge and pass through the Brazilian checkpoint you come upon the officers seated in a spacious building and comfortably covered by a large roof and undertaking their work with maximum efficiency and the minimum of fuss. It often forces the Guyanese to comment on how professional – always extremely courteous and efficient while checking the vehicles – these officers are in the execution of their job.
One is not certain who has the overall authority in the Lethem multi-purpose complex, but there are some issues which need urgent attention to improve its operation. Firstly, we really need to understand that this building represents the image of Guyana for foreigners entering for the first time and as such it needs to portray the correct image. People should comment on our operations in much the same way as we do on the Brazilian officials.
We do not need to break down our complex and build a skyscraper to achieve this. Rather, it can be achieved by making some simple changes to our present mode of operation to reflect the needs of the persons passing the building – both Guyanese and foreigners. We do not want our crossing from one country to another to be one of stress and worrisome driving. Rather we want to remember the crossing with fond memories.
Firstly, the checkpoint with the barriers needs to be urgently changed to something more simple and user friendly. Apart from being taxing, it also gives the impression that you are passing through a police barricade and that you are doing something illegal. A simple passing system similar to the Bon Fim checkpoint would be much better appreciated. There are already ‘sleeping policemen’ on both sides of the hut so there isn’t really any need for the barriers. The vehicles will slow down automatically making vehicle searches routine.
Secondly, the officers need to be better accommodated. The small hut, which closely resembles a security hut, cannot suffice for the number of officers who are forced to fit into it. A spacious and properly covered building will portray more professionalism and the officers will much appreciate the comfort resulting in a better service to the public. The cost to undertake this should not be prohibitive, but the rewards for the country by way of projecting the correct image would be priceless.
It is sincerely hoped that our authorities look into the operation of our checkpoint and improve its efficiency. We agree that we are the poor relation to Brazil but our service need not necessarily reflect this. Some simple and relatively cheap adjustments can go a very long way in ensuring that our service receives the same comments about efficiency as our Brazilian counterparts. Let our border facilities reflect the ambition and hope which our government has in this port of entry/departure as the development catalyst of our country.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
