The border between Lethem and Bonfim in Brazil remains closed until such time as both governments decide it is safe and reasonable to allow border crossings.
This is according to a statement yesterday from the Office of the Prime Minister which dismissed reports to the contrary as “patently false”.
“Despite Ministers of the Government of Guyana holding talks with the Governor of the State of Roraima on September 17, 2021, no agreement has been reached on the reopening of the border crossing,” the statement said, adding that residents of Region 9 and others who depend on the border crossing being open for their livelihoods can be assured that both parties on either side of the border remain fully engaged in bringing a resolution to the issue as soon as it is safe and reasonable to do so.
Stabroek News has previously reported that protestors last Thursday blocked the border on the Brazil side preventing the importation of items such as cooking gas, which is essential for residents of Lethem.
President of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), Daniel Gajie explained yesterday that a cylinder of cooking gas is currently being sold in the community for $10,000, twice the normal cost.
He added that cement, another essential item has completely run out.
“Most of the construction sites have ceased work. We don’t bring cement from Georgetown because it works out more expensive. The road is a mess so cement if you bring it from Georgetown would be almost $3000 a pack but from Brazil it’s just $2,200 a pack. No cement has caused the construction sector to grind to a halt very, very quickly,” he lamented.
Asked if any major construction projects are being affected Gajie said there are several.
“You have construction all the time. All year round the Rupununi builds. If it’s not in Lethem then elsewhere,” he said adding that as residents take up government’s offer of house lots there are residential structures going up as are commercial structures and government structures.
He stressed that since the first protest on September 9 no goods have been delivered to the community so customer are feeling the pressure of a two-week delay in delivery which is likely to lengthen if the protest continues this week.
“For two weeks since the protestors have stopped the truck from passing no goods have made it to the Rupununi. We are not affected we are the business we are the middle person between the supplier and consumer. The consumer is who is feeling the squeeze right now that’s who government must consider not the business people we just buy and sell,” Gajie said.
He reminded that the Brazilian borders are not closed to goods but to pedestrian traffic and private vehicles.
