Construction work being done on the Brazilian half of the Takatu Bridge (GDF photo)

Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Edward Collins of the Guyana Defence Force paid a visit last Saturday to the Takatu Bridge construction site at Bon Fim, Brazil while he was returning from a visit to the Amazon Military Command at Manaus.

During the visit, the Chief of Staff was briefed on the status of the Takatu Bridge Project, and later taken on a conducted tour of the site, the GDF said in a press release.

The construction of the Takatu Bridge is the responsibility of the 6th Construction Engineering Battalion, which is based in Boa Vista. Lieutenant Colonel Ressia is the senior military engineer, while Ronaldo Rossi is the senior civilian engineer.

Apart from its supervisory role, the military is responsible for preparing the foundation for the bridge. The remaining aspects of the construction work, which amounts to approximately 90%, is being executed by 'Artleste', a civilian construction firm based in Parana, Brazil's south eastern state. Brigadier Edward Collins (centre) in conversation with the civilian engineer (at right) and the Brazilian Military Liaison Officer.

Construction works which recommenced in March are currently being done on the Brazilian side of the bridge and then similar works will be done on the Guyana side. The release quoted Lieutenant Colonel Ressia as saying that the project is on schedule and it is expected to be completed by January next year.