Charge d’Affaires of the Brazilian Embassy in Guyana, Mr. Rodrigo Fonseca, said he’s optimistic that the much-anticipated Takutu River Bridge linking Guyana with its southern neighbor, Brazil, will be officially opened shortly.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, the new official who assumed duty less than a month ago, said to this end, his embassy is in contact with the Guyana Government and the Brazilian Government in order to establish a definite date to inaugurate the bridge with Guyana’s President Bharrat Jagdeo and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva declaring it open.

He disclosed that only last week, he visited the Lethem site in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) on a “fact finding mission” to see what is happening.

He said he was pleased and surprised with how dynamic the trade and border relations between Guyana and Brazil are, and noted that there was a delay in the construction of the multi-purpose centre on Guyana’s side; but that problem is now solved with all arrangements already in place.

Reassuring that the Brazilian side is fully prepared for the opening and functioning of the bridge, he reiterated, “We believe that we have a possibility of opening it in a very short period of time by the two Heads of State.”

The Embassy’s official, who stint here is expected to last two years, said that the bridge, which marks the first permanent infrastructure linkage between Guyana and Brazil, is expected to significantly increase trade between the two countries.

Former Brazil Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Arthur Meyers, recently completed his tenure here and a new Ambassador to Guyana is expected to be in place by mid-September, the Embassy’s official told the Guyana Chronicle.

The Takutu bridge is 14 metres wide across the Takutu River and built of reinforced concrete, with walkways on both sides.

The construction of the Takutu Bridge is ‘symbolic of the ever growing ties and cooperation between the Republic of Guyana and the Federative Republic of Brazil, and the bridge is one of 335 projects identified by the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America (IIRSA), an initiative by South American governments to construct a new infrastructural network for the continent, including roads, waterways, ports, and energy and communications interconnections.

The Lethem community in Rupununi is enthusiastic about the opening of the bridge, since the historic link is expected to offer a multiplicity of opportunities for citizens of both countries, including an economic and commercial take-off for Lethem. Government is continuing to work towards the necessary inputs for the opening ceremony of the bridge.

Additionally, the link is expected to bring about numerous opportunities for tourism and commerce when it becomes operational.