Guyana: President Ali attends opening of Rupununi Rodeo in Lethem

Guyana: President Dr Irfaan Ali has arrived in Lethem, Region Nine, for a series of events, including opening the much-anticipated Rupununi Rodeo. The President’s first event was the opening of the Visit Rupununi Guyana Tourism Information Centre in Lethem.

President Dr Irfaan Ali attended the 2022 Rupununi Rodeo in Lethem on Saturday, April 16, 2022. President Ali delivered the feature address at the opening ceremony, where he said that the event is one of Guyana’s greatest and has the potential to be a marquee event in the Caribbean.

He is accompanied by First Lady Arya Ali, several members of his Cabinet and the CEO of Go-Invest, Dr Peter Ramsaroop. The President also underscored the importance of investing in product development. “Making Rupununi and Region Nine a staple in tourism requires investment.”

He explained that the Government will be making significant investments in infrastructure works in the region and will connect it to other parts of the country.

To further aid in the development of the event, President Ali donated $1m to the Rodeo Committee. Several Cabinet Ministers also travelled up to Lethem for the rodeo.

President of Guyana, Dr Irfaan Ali, and First Lady, Mrs Arya Ali, also joined several Cabinet ministers and regional and Government officials at the opening of the Visit Rupununi Guyana Tourism Information Centre in Lethem this morning.

During his remarks, President Ali highlighted the importance of human resources in community-based tourism.

President Ali addressed the gathering and stated as follows:

“For tourism to work, the people must understand what tourism means. We must live tourism and be the best we can to each other, the environment and more importantly, the country”.

President Ali also noted that part of the region’s tourism package must be a partnership with neighbouring Brazil.

He noted, “We must build a common profit with our neighbours. Once we are able to merge these two products and cooperate, we will have one of the most powerful tourism products anywhere in the world.”

The President was expected to hold engagements with several communities in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine) and attend the rodeo.

President Dr Irfaan Ali and members of his Cabinet met with residents of Yupukari and surrounding satellite villages in the Rupununi earlier today.

President Ali emphasized to the residents that his Government remains committed to ensuring their development and that of the entire Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

He said that this year, some $3.7b will be spent on hinterland roads and bridges to open up new communities and new farmlands that will improve the lives and livelihoods of residents.

“Our primary objective is to ensure the lives of all the people of our country are improved.” The Head of State added that whatever benefits people on the coastland receive will likewise be available in the hinterland.

He also listened to the concerns of the residents and provided on-the-spot solutions.
Meanwhile, three tractors were handed over to the villages of Kaicumbay, Fly Hill and Quatata. A repaired village bus was also returned to Fly Hill.