Lethem’s rapid growth is putting pressure on the government to improve its infrastructure, according to President Donald Ramotar, who says that it will soon be necessary to formally recognise it as a town.
As a result of the commissioning of the Takutu Bridge, government had previously said that Lethem was expected to become a significant frontier town to facilitate increased trading between the borders of Guyana and Brazil.
Speaking to reporters at the end of the annual rodeo at Lethem last weekend, Ramotar called the rodeo a tangible example of Guyana’s development over the years and he also commended the Rodeo Committee for making improvements every year. “The rodeo is now a permanent feature of our entertainment calendar and it has grown in size and importance not only for Rupununi but also for the country,” he said, while noting that it is a tourist attraction.
Ramotar added that with the rapid growth of the population and the infrastructural development in Lethem, it would be essential to improve basic amenities. “A lot of pressure is now on the government to improve infrastructure, including electricity, which is a major problem here,” he said. “More hotels are needed because a lot of people who come up here are telling me that they are camping out because there is no room in the hotels that they have. It is very clear to me that the infrastructure has to be developed,” he also said.
The president also noted the rice and agricultural development around Lethem and the investments in place to keep the ranching and cattle industry alive. He said the region itself is being revived in an all-round way, which is progressive for the country.
Asked to comment on this year’s competition and the impact it had on the community, Chairman of the Rodeo Committee John Macedo said he was not only proud but pleased at his committee’s efforts and the magnitude of the support it has received. This year has seen what can be considered to be the greatest turnout in the history of the rodeo, he said.
Forty-three competitors, including three women, competed in the 2013 Rupununi Rodeo.
Eyeing the progress of the now internationally acclaimed event and the development of Lethem, Macedo spoke of the infrastructural development of the arena itself, saying it is in need of massive restructuring to accommodate the growth of spectators and competitors alike. As a result, it is the committee’s intention to upgrade the Triple R Rodeo Ground before the 2014 competition. He said it is also hoped that there will be more hotels and camping grounds, given the number of displaced tourists. Meanwhile, the rodeo was nearly marred when Konrad Farius, a Brazilian rider, was trampled by a bull. He stood up only to be seen wobbling as he walked holding his nose as blood spewed. The medical team on standby rushed Farius away on a stretcher to a medical centre just a short distance away from the arena.
It was later reported that Farius did not suffer any fractures or a broken nose as was feared but the bleeding was a result of trauma to his nasal cavity. In a brief conversation with Stabroek News, Farius said that the bull kicked up so much dust his vision was impaired for a brief moment and as he lay on the ground, not knowing where to retreat to, the bull continued to trample the ground, eventually stomping on him.
Spectators clapped at the efficiency of the medical team and Farius’ strength and courage when he walked back to the arena after the incident. According to the Master of Ceremonies Roderick George, the bull was the largest and most ferocious in the tournament. The episode was the first of two major accidents at this year’s rodeo. The second incident saw another cowboy being trampled upon, albeit on the toe. He bled for several minutes before returning to compete.
Judging the events were Chief Judge Ivan Atkinson, Arena Judge Paul Atkinson and Score Judge Ian Rodrigues, who are rodeo veterans themselves.
The rodeo dates back some 150 years, when the cowboys of the separate ranches of the Rupununi Savannahs would meet yearly at St Ignatius to show off their skills in games and competitions. It was only in 1985 that the rodeo moved to Lethem, where it has now become an annual event.
