Dear Editor,
As one travels the East Bank Demerara road from 6.30 am on any work day, the build-up of traffic is really unbearable. This has been so since the years leading up to the Cricket World Cup.
On the East Coast of Demerara the situation is no different in spite of the construction of the road where the railway used to be.
On the West Bank and West Coast of Demerara the story is the same. What is worrying is the fact that the government appears paralyzed in the face of these mammoth build-ups. In fact they gloat over the influx of so many vehicles and use that as a measurement, falsely so, of the increase in the quality of life for Guyanese.
While vehicles change series twice yearly, the development of the physical infrastructure to accommodate the influx has either been non-existent or is lagging way behind the increase. A case in point: Georgetown has, long ago, run out of parking places, even as we see so many ‘No Parking’ and ‘No Stopping’ signs in some unlikely places.
Added to the build-up is the inadequacy and bad condition of more than 90% of our roads. Vehicles are slowed to a crawl to negotiate the many ruts in our roads. This accentuates the build-ups even more.
This is oft times compounded by the nonsensical practice of drivers to park their vehicles on the good portion of the roads, thus leaving the rut-filled portions for other motorists to negotiate.
Another contributory factor to the build-ups is the fact that all bus and car parks are located in the heart of the business hub, and any Guyanese knows what takes place down-town during the rush hour. The situation is definitely aggravated by the convergence of all traffic on this already overcrowded centre.
I am sure there are other contributory factors to the overcrowding and I will not attempt to provide an exhaustive list. But we all know what I am speaking of. The situation provides reasons for corrupt policemen, not only from the Traffic Department, to prey on hapless and helpless motorists. One of the most prevalent offences is that of double parking. It is unlawful to double park, but what alternative is there? There simply are no parking spaces in sight. In fact it is now necessary to double park. Likewise it is sometimes necessary to stop in a ‘No Stopping’ zone. The point cannot be overemphasised that Georgetown has simply run out of space.
There are a few things that any visionary government would have done to ease the daily burden of the traffic build-up. First, they would have acknowledged that the situation poses a security risk. Imagine anyone who is marked for a hit? He/she is a sitting, dead duck in a vehicle that is crawling at less that a mile an hour.
Try to imagine having to conduct a massive evacuation away from the coastline and up to higher ground. Well I can. I see 3/4 of our population wiped out because a government hadn’t the foresight, after more than 20 years, and in the face of imminent threats, to ensure a congestion-free road network.
Thirdly, we have witnessed the advent of many high-rise structures in the city and its environs. Maybe the government can encourage one of its friends to invest in a 4-storey parking lot. There is one in Barbados, Bridgetown to boot. Surely we have the space in Georgetown. This structure will take a considerable number of vehicles off the streets and a sense of normalcy will return.
Last, but by no means least or exhaustive is the removal of all bus and car parks away from central Georgetown.
Of course this will require a quality that has been lacking in successive PPP administrations since 1992. That quality is political will.
If they have the gall they can use the old railway embankment along Lamaha street for the East Coast, Kitty, and Campbellville bus parks.
The old Radio Demerara compound can be used as the West Bank and West Coast Parks.
D’Urban Square can be developed to accommodate buses for south Georgetown, Linden, Mahdia and other areas.
Just imagine the benefits to Guyanese if this were to become a reality. The authorities will then have space to restore Georgetown to its pristine state and enhance its capacity as a true tourist destination. The decongestion will also flush out criminal elements whose trade thrives off the congested state of the city. Traffic regulations can then be enforced with conviction.
If there are other ideas out there I would encourage people to share them, since our leaders seem bereft of such.
Yours faithfully,
Carl Parker Sr
Regional Councillor
Region 9