– after meeting with Traffic Chief Neil Semple
THE Linden Town Council’s Interim Management Committee (IMC) Chairman, Mr. Orrin Gordon, and Councillors Mr. Winston Smith, Ms Dawn Caines and Chief Security Officer Chance last Friday held discussions with Traffic Chief Neil Semple and Commander of the ‘E’ and ‘E’ Division Louis Crawford, Officer-In-Charge at Linden, Assistant Superintendent Timmerman, and members of the Linden Station Management Committee, including its Chairman, Mr. Lethem Wilson, and Public Relations Officer, Ms Cathy Richards, in the chambers of the Linden municipality.

The frank discussion, which lasted for nearly four hours, was engaged with openness as the participants dealt with what Chairman of the IMC, Mr. Gordon, described as some ‘teething issues’ in the town.

Some of the matters scheduled for discussion yesterday should be passed at the municipality’s monthly statutory meeting. Issues discussed related to, among other things, making some streets one-way avenues and the re-zoning of the route #43 minibuses.

It was, however, agreed that the re-zoning of the Route #43 minibuses in the area of operation would need the approval of the Ministers of Home Affairs and Local Government, thus the first step would entail the Council documenting its requirements, in partnership with the Linden Station Management Committee.

While these matters were programmed to be developed yesterday so that they could be furthered to the higher authorities, it was acknowledged that other matters of immediate concern, including the elimination of touting at the Linden/Georgetown, Amelia’s Ward and Wisroc Parks be addressed forthwith, along with the issue of private cars operating as hire cars and the use of tinting on vehicles.

Following the meeting with the Traffic Chief, Mr. Semple and Commander Crawford, along with the other Municipal officials, visited the Linden/Georgetown Minibus Park to get a closer look at what happens on the ground.

Traffic Chief Semple held discussions with some minibus drivers and it was agreed that the drivers and owners would convene a meeting to discuss the concerns raised and find solutions to the problems.

They are also scheduled to discuss a possible line system of loading minibuses at the Linden/Georgetown Park, which will allow for a smoother movement of passengers at the parking facility.

Other matters which are to be implemented were regular visits by the police and constabulary ranks to the market where reports were made of drugs being sold and the use of illegal substances.

Traffic Officer Sergeant Williams assured the meeting that his ranks will take the fight to the touts and will not let up on persons who drink and drive, or speed on the roadways; or the unauthorised use of tint by vehicle owners.

It was also agreed that the Guyana Police Force will, in conjunction with the Linden town Constabulary, have joint operations in the vicinity of the Mackenzie Market in particular, and also be vigilant in the area of the traffic violations so that the necessary arrests could be made for prosecution.

Traffic Chief Semple said that he will act on the requests after they are submitted as documents for his attention.

Both Commander Crawford and Traffic Chief Semple applauded the Linden Station Management Committee and said that they were impressed by the work it has been doing since being formed in August.