-Minister Benn
MINISTER OF Transport and Hydraulics, Mr Robeson Benn has deemed as mischievous recent assertions made by President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Mr Chandradat Chintamani.

Chintamani’s comments, which had to do with the allocation of bus stops along Regent Street, the Ministry’s ongoing demolition campaign, and road projects, and were aired at the organisation’s annual dinner and awards ceremony on Wednesday night at the Pegasus Hotel, have prompted Minister Benn to declare that he finds them “profoundly ignorant of the

ongoing situations,” or at best mischievous.

He said Friday at a press conference called at his office to iron out the misconception that it was expressly because of the traffic congestion on Regent Street that the Ministry had embarked upon the creation of bus stops in 2008. The stops were meant for buses only, he said, and cars and other vehicles were advised against utilizing them.

Chintamani claims that the bus stops are problematic in an already chaotic space, but Minister Benn begs to differ. “Any sensible person,” he said, “would understand that along major routes in any normal city, bus stops are needed and that the city of Georgetown did have a comprehensive network of bus routes and of bus stops.”

Minster Benn is of the opinion that even the most uninformed of observers would have noted that the introduction of bus stops along certain routes has helped alleviate the congestion, but that the stops are not properly utilised by bus operators who tend to use them incorrectly. He is however, optimistic that in time they will be properly utilized.

He also had a message for Chintamani. “The President of the GCCI should conduct a poll among the users of the bus stops, passengers and minibus drivers of their opinions on the efficiency of the bus stops. In addition, Chintamani should ask police officers who are required to regulate traffic on that particular street amongst others what are their opinions to this particular issue.”

With regards to Chintamani’s criticism of the demolition campaign, Minister Benn said he was “surprised that the Head of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry will adopt a position which will seem to maybe sanction or license the theft of public property for uncompetitive business practices.”

According to the Minister, the Ministry has been dedicating resources to ensuring that Government’s reserves and more so, people’s properties are not encroached upon. The demolition campaign does not seek to target any one person for malicious reasons, but rather to ensure that the roadways are cleared from illegal shacks that pose a traffic hazard and impede the further development of road infrastructure.

Minister Benn noted that persons who have illegal shacks on State reserves are not only affecting road development, but are also robbing the people of Guyana by not paying taxes. This is not fair to tax payers, he said.

Chintamani had contended too that the Ministry has been conducting poor road projects, but Minister Benn is adamant that the quality of roads in Georgetown and throughout the country has vastly improved over the years. He noted that the Ministry has engaged in works to improve road infrastructure and that the Government has been financing road projects.

At present, the Government is engaged in the construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads in Regions One (Barima/Waini), Eight (Potaro/Siparuni), Nine (Upper Takatu/Upper Essequibo) and Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice) to link Amerindian communities. Also, the New Amsterdam to Moleson Creek Highway has been completed at a cost of US$4.5M. The sum of $1.8 billion was allocated in the 2009 budget for its completion.

Traffic lights at busy Diamond junction to be operational soon

THE MINISTRY of Public Works and Communication has been improving road infrastructure with the implementation of street lights, road signs and paintings and traffic lights to prevent or reduce road fatalities and avoid traffic congestion.

Traffic lights are being installed at the busy Diamond Housing Scheme entrance on the , East Bank Demerara. The installation of traffic lights in the area is pertinent, since there is usually vehicular congestion causing discomfort to commuters.

This project costs $15 M and commenced on November 16. It is scheduled to be completed by December 15. The scope of the work entails the installation of traffic lights, the construction of foot bridges, and the widening of a portion of the East Bank Public Road.

Construction of the four foot bridges is in progress. The piles have been driven to foster the support of the timber foot bridges and the abutments are in place. On the first two bridges at the entrance of the scheme, some strings are in place, and timber deckings are yet to be installed.

To facilitate traffic entering and exiting the scheme, a portion of the East Bank Public Road will be widened to accommodate an extra lane of traffic. The construction has begun, and like all other works, will be completed by the December 15. (GINA)