The company has reportedly encountered problems with obtaining further funding for the project from the state of Roraima, a source told the Chronicle.

Work on the bridge was halted in February to allow for a routine state audit and during that time, funding for construction had been suspended.

However, Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Ney Do Prado Dieguez, at that time had given assurances that the project will soon restart.

Governor of the State of Roraima, Mr. Nuedo Ribiero Campos, a key backer of the bridge and road link with Guyana, while on a recent visit here, had reiterated that his country would remain committed to strengthening relations with Guyana.

Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, Mr. Clement Rohee yesterday said he was aware that the Brazilian construction firm had pulled out of the project but was not in a position to comment on the matter.

The Brazilian Ambassador was unavailable for comment.

The Takutu Bridge project, which started in August last, on the Brazilian side of the border, and in September on the Guyana side, was due for completion by July this year.

A Local Coordinating Committee comprising Region Nine (Upper Essequibo/Upper Takutu) regional officials and representatives from the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and the Rangers Association, was appointed to monitor the project.

A Public Works Ministry official said that despite the pullout, members of the coordinating committee met on Friday last at Lethem to look at other aspects of the bridge's development on the Guyana side of the border.

The committee addressed among other issues, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project, paving of the Guyana border entry area and the setting-up of an administrative building for immigration, and trade related purposes, the official said.

The members will assist and facilitate in the building of the bridge, monitor the construction,help the technical committee and report to the National Coordinating Committee.

They are also charged with providing information to the public and various bodies on matters pertaining to the bridge.