Guyana officials concerned
over high traffic fatalities
By Tangerine Clarke
Guyana’s Minister of Public
Infrastructure, David Patterson,
has expressed grave concern
for the high number of
road fatalities — a staggering
115 lives lost to date, many
of them children, according to
the traffic chief.
Patterson, in a recent exclusive
interview with Caribbean
Life in Georgetown, condemned
reckless driving, and
opined that most of the accidents
were a direct result of
the major works completed by
the ministry, that made roadways
smoother and nicer to
traverse.
“We are concerned about
deaths on the road, but we
have done a lot, almost all
major roadways have street
lights, because we obviously
want to ensure safety, and we
want people to see properly
when they are driving, unfortunately,
most of the accidents
are a direct consequence of
smoother, nicer roads,” said
the politician, who expressed
Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj at Stabroek Market Square. Photo by Tangerine Clarke
Narine, greets a citizen during
these views, during a Christmas
Caribbean L 18 ife, January 3, 2020
walkabout in the capital
city of Georgetown.
Patterson, who will continue
improving roads across Guyana
into 2020, said he was collaborating
with the Ministry of Public
Security, and other agencies,
to find innovative ways, such as
installing speed bumps, and
speed rumble strips, as well as
applying new technologies, to
curb speeding, and save lives.
He reiterated that too many
lives are being lost; as such, his
office will work to curb reckless
driving.
Additionally, the ministry is
building a more efficient and
safe public transportation system,
that would see a return
of large commuter buses, and
a river transportation network
that will give commuters easy
access from the East Bank
highway to the East Coast
highway, via the waterway.
The member of Parliament,
who was bombarded with questions
during the meet and
greet, explained that a study
is being conducted, on how
best to modernize the Stabroek
Market square, in busy Georgetown.
The 80,000 sq. ft. market
place that showcases the historic
Stabroek Market clock,
and overlooks the western
flank of the Demerara River,
will be remodeled, after a completed
study.
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, interacts,
with citizens in Georgetown, during a Christmas walkabout
Minister Patterson, the General
Secretary of the Alliance
For Change (AFC) an arm of
the Coalition government, met
with scores of Guyanese, to
whom he extended best wished,
adding.
“I would like to wish everyone
a happy new year. I look
forward to your support, and
even more support in 2020.
One good term deserves another,”
said the politician, referring
to the upcoming March
2, 2020, general and regional
elections.
The ministers, who also
shared toys, and gifts to the
elderly, included, Minister of
Public Health, Volda Lawrence,
Minister of Public Security,
Khemraj Ramjattan, Mayor
of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine,
Minister of Citizenship, Winston
Felix, Minister of Indigenous
Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney
Allicock, Minister of Finance,
Winston Jordon, Minister of
Education, Nicholette Henry,
and Tabetha Sarabo-Halley, Jr.
minister within the Ministry of
Public Service.
a Christmas walkabout
in Stabroek Market Square,
Georgetown, Guyana.
Photo by Tangerine Clarke