THE RUPUNUNI Rodeo, the biggest and most exhilarating event in Lethem during the Easter season, was declared open by President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday in the presence of scores of patrons at the popular venue.
The event, which has as its main feature horse and bull-riding, calf-roping, and saddle bronco riding, will be held for two days in the community, which the President described as dynamic.
He spoke to patrons minutes before the opening of the rodeo, about the transformation that is about to take place in Lethem and the Rupununi, as evidenced by the proliferation of economic activities there.
“Lethem is uniquely placed because of its vision with Brazil to be one of the dynamic centres for development with our country, and I expect in upcoming years to see major changes,” President Jagdeo said.
Among the economic activities of which he spoke are the large-scale plantation-type agricultural projects in the Rupununi savannahs; the exploration for oil and gas in the Rupununi; and Lethem’s potential as a trading post between Guyana and neighbouring Brazil.
“It offers possibility for thousands of jobs being created; more employment opportunities and income for people here,” the President said.
Aside from the economic development taking place in the area, President Jagdeo also spoke of government-funded projects that are in the works, including a $600M contract for the Georgetown to Lethem road, and another road connecting Regions Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).
Accompanying the President to Lethem were PPP Presidential Candidate, Mr.  Donald Ramotar; Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad; Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Ms. Pauline Sukhai; and Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo.
Among the highlights of yesterday’s event was the presentation, by Paul Atkinson, of a painting to the President, portraying his perception of what the Low Carbon Development Strategy is all about, and the Champion of the Earth award that was conferred on President Jagdeo.
The Rupununi rodeo has its origins in the middle of the last century, when vaqueros competed against each other in various skills.
It later grew from  being a centralised event in St. Ignatius before moving to Lethem in 1985. (GINA)