If motorists obey the signals of the traffic lights at the Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara junction, traffic there would not move.
A few days after being activated all the lights are red all the time, meaning traffic must stop. Motorists no longer obey them. Last week technicians from Cummings Electrical activated the lights, after they were installed earlier this year. After testing them periodically with results much the same, this activation was said to be the final and permanent one. Representatives of Seereeram Brothers, the contractors, were on hand last week to observe the functioning of the lights. However, less than a week has gone by and they have malfunctioned. Stabroek News understands that the contractors will be responsible for the upkeep of the lights for one year following which they will be the responsibility of the government.
That junction is one of the busiest on the West Demerara and often during the rush hour there would be chaos which would only let up when the police sometimes put in an appearance. Last week, when the lights were activated, a police officer was cautioning errant drivers, who were not obeying the signals, that the lights were working.
Though numerous calls were made to the Ministry of Works for a comment last week, this reporter was always told that the persons who could comment were not available.
