Lula pledges to help Guyana build hydro-power plant

BRAZIL’S President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva yesterday pledged to help Guyana build an 800MW hydro-power plant in the Middle Mazaruni, identified as a priority by President Bharrat Jagdeo.

PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo and Luiz Inacio da Silva at the Takutu Bridge

His announcement came at the historic formal opening of the border Takutu Bridge which President Jagdeo said opens new vistas for the two neighbours and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Lula and Mr. Jagdeo were chief guests at the ceremony witnessed also by members of Brazil’s Congress, the Governor of Roraima State, which borders Guyana, and other top officials from both countries.

President Jagdeo warmly praised Lula for taking time off to be at the ceremony and for his support for including Guyana and Suriname more in the integration of South American countries.

Guyana sees the bridge as the gateway for the Caribbean Community to South America and Lula announced that Brazil will host the first Brazil-CARICOM summit next year, noting that a strong Caribbean presence is needed in South American integration.

He said the two sides are “indispensable partners” in building greater integration in the region.

The Takutu Bridge is one of 335 projects identified by the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America (IIRSA), an initiative by South American governments to build a new infrastructural network for the continent, including roads, waterways, ports and energy and communications interconnections.

Also on the cards with the new bridge link are a quality highway from Linden to Lethem and a deep water harbour on the Berbice River, which will offer Brazil a cheaper and faster route through the Atlantic Ocean for exports from its northern regions, including Roraima.

In tandem with the new bridge, Guyana and Brazil have been discussing plans for the hydro-power project in the Middle Mazaruni with support from the Brazilian government.

President Jagdeo recently met Charge d’ Affaires of the Brazilian embassy here, Minister Rodrigo Fonseca, and two representatives of Andrade Gutierrez Construction, Gianfranco Miceli, Commercial Director, and Pablo Arruda, Business Director, to discuss the possibility of establishing the hydro-power station.

Lula yesterday said Brazil is ready to have Brazilian firms finance construction of hydro-power plants here and announced that a Brazilian Minister will be in Guyana on October 3 or 4 for further discussions.

He said electricity from hydro-power stations here can also be used in Roraima State and Guyana can benefit from the success of that state in producing soya bean and rice.

At the ceremony, President Jagdeo said the bridge marks the fulfillment of a dream long held by Guyanese, pointing out that its completion faced many obstacles.

Noting that Guyana and Brazil share a common continental and hemispheric destiny, he said the bridge has implications for greater trade and economic activities and opens new vistas to be explored between the two countries and the Caribbean.

The bridge opens the way for CARICOM, through Guyana, to one of the top 10 economies of the world, the President pointed out.

“The message is clear”, he said, adding that despite recent improvements, there is vast room for improvement in trade between Guyana and Brazil and between Brazil and CARICOM.

The bridge link is to be complemented by an improved Lethem-to-Linden road, better air links between Guyana and Brazil, a deep water harbour, hydro-power projects and a fibre optic cable between the two countries, he said.

Mr. Jagdeo declared that Guyana’s vision is clear and its political will is resolute for advancing ties with Brazil.

He welcomed the statement of support from Lula and said Guyana is committed to finding the resources and partnerships to develop other aspects of the deeper integration plans.

The President said Guyana sees its future and prosperity tied to that of Roraima State and vowed to do whatever it takes to improve relations between the two countries.

He also promised that improving consular services in Lethem will be given priority.

On the proposed hydro-power plant, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said that during the recent meeting here, Miceli explained that some of the energy would be integrated into Guyana’s national power grid with the rest being purchased by Brazil for consumption by the state of Roraima.

“As soon as we develop all the necessary agreements with the Guyana authorities and the Brazilian authorities, this project should most probably start some time next year to be completed in 2015 when the first turbine should be generating,” Miceli stated.