(A GINA FEATURE)
ONE of the most outstanding features of a developing country is the ability of the populace to access fundamental sources of transportation and be mobile, either through the use of public facilities or being able to purchase one’s own automobile. Additionally, the number of vehicles on the road is an indication of macro-economic development.
As Guyana continues to advance in all sectors, the presence of more vehicles on the roadways is apparent, with instances of gridlock during morning and evening traffic rushes.
There are currently more cars on the roads in Guyana than ever before, with 18,000 being registered between January to April 2010, according to the Licence Revenue Office (LRO) of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).
Persons who have been licensed for many years are now joined on the roadways by a new generation of drivers, tapping into the licencing facility available when they become 17 years, and the tempting accessibility of using the family car. Being licensed is now even more enticing because, by the end of 2010, the document will be issued in a card form, eliminating the “red book” with which most Guyanese are familiar.
Added to this upsurge in drivers is the large number of young professionals making use of available bank loans and dealership financing to purchase their own vehicles and the increased presence of commercial vehicles crisscrossing the country as business and entrepreneurial opportunities abound, as a result of continued investment in the economy, from the public and private sectors.
There is a greater foreign presence in the country as well, with more re-migrants, diplomats and tourists than ever before, and this is coupled with a heightened commercial presence in the city.
As villages transform into towns, and more economic opportunities manifest in hinterland communities, the national transit system is being upgraded to provide long-lasting highways and bridges, linking important locations, opening up the interior and giving Guyanese access to parts of the country that were once unreachable.
Facilitating System: Government Policy
A new computer generated motor vehicle licence went on sale from March 23, 2009 at the LRO, Smyth Street, Georgetown. This new computerised licence confirms the usage of the newly implemented Licence Revenue Office Management Information System (LRO/MIS), which is an inter-connected system used by all branches of the entity.
The GRA began computerizing its operations, taking a phased approach to introducing the LRO/MIS. The first phase saw the new computerized motor vehicle licence being sold in Demerara.
The database in Georgetown is a sophisticated, modern inter-connected network that is used throughout all of the outer offices via an intranet, accumulating information through a process of electronically upgrading the database and administrative systems for better functionality and to more accurately store the information collected.
This is part of the move by the agency to decentralize its operations, making it more usable by staff members, providing a wider range of services and an overall formalisation and modernisation of critical departments and agencies, for the public welfare and to reinforce the integrity of the licensing process.
The shift from a manual to a computerised system has allowed the GRA to provide a more efficient service to vehicle owners who can now acquire their license in as little as five minutes. To further assist vehicle owners in obtaining their licences during the three-month grace period granted by the GRA, certain measures were implemented.
Temporary staff were employed and stationed at the LRO gates to assist taxpayers in relevant lines to conduct their business and, in several instances, the working hours of the licence office were extended to accommodate those who could not have acquired their licence during normal working hours. The grace period was extended twice.
There was a significant opening up of the economy in the first decade of the 21st century, allowing persons the financial flexibility to invest in items that were once considered luxuries, but are now necessities for practical living in a competitive social environment.
There are currently 128,000 vehicles on the road in Guyana, according to the statistics generated from the LRO. Every day, motor vehicle licences are sold across the country at the rate of approximately 1000 -1200, an indication of the level of development and investment in Guyana, the amount of capital flowing through the economy and the purchasing power of Guyanese. Every series of issued plates, for example, PFF is done in 10,000 blocks.
The current series, PMM, was over 5600 at the time of preparing this article. At the current rate of registration, projected expectations indicate that by 2011, the licensing series for private vehicles will be PNN and POO.
Support System: Expanding Transportation Network
Significant works have been undertaken by the Ministry of Public Works in expanding the nation’s transportation system by building access roads, highways and bridges. In 2009, the Ministry embarked on a road development programme across the country to improve the transportation network and link communities, and enhanced and upgraded the existing facilities to include signage and parking options.
The results of those efforts now find travel to and within Region Six greatly enhanced, with swifter access as the area is being opened up as a destination of choice for overseas-based Guyanese and tourists from Suriname, the island territories of the Caribbean community, North America and Europe. The New Amsterdam to Moleson Creek Highway and the Mahaicony Branch Road were strengthened and rehabilitation works on the Black Bush Polder road were undertaken.
Hinterland areas are now more accessible through the construction of roads in Regions One, Eight, Nine and Ten. The access road from Linden to Lethem, which spans 416 kilometers, was rehabilitated at the cost of $148M and reports confirm that the application of signage and traffic indicators is underway. The completion of this road was essential since it is the only major land link that will be utilized by the heavier volume of traffic now that the Takutu Bridge is in operation.
In Regions Three and Four, maintenance works are ongoing and on the East Bank corridor, the four lane highway will be extended beyond Providence to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
Other priorities for 2010 include the maintenance of the Timehri-Rosignol Roadway, the East and West Canje roads, Phase II of the Mahaicony Branch Road and the completion of the Jackson Creek Bridge, on the Corentyne.
The Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) is under constant supervision and rehabilitation to ensure that it continues to service persons who use it daily to access jobs in the city and industrial parks along the East Bank Highway and those travelling to Essequibo, Bartica and further into the hinterland.
From Gas Stations to Service Stations
Developments in the provision of fuel and removal from a reliance on fossil fuels are on the
agenda of the Administration.
There is no monopoly in the provision of fuel by any international gas company in Guyana. There exists healthy competition, with Texaco, Esso and Shell operating beside each other on one of the major streets in central Georgetown. Guyoil remains a strong presence and there are many privately-owned gas stations, popping up in once-rural communities that are benefitting from a boost in urbanisation and commercial activities therein.
A trend that is most welcome is the fact that gas stations are now being built as “Service Stations”, providing more than gas to consumers. The structures that are being erected are outfitted with traditional requirements of gas stations, but also have other areas on the lot with fast food, supermarket and restroom facilities.
Development along a Low Carbon Pathway: President Jagdeo
President Bharrat Jagdeo, at the commissioning of the new Guyoil/Guy Shop service station at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, stated “Many people may say, how are we going to proceed, or are these developments incompatible with a low carbon economy, and I keep emphasizing that our low carbon economy doesn’t mean an absolute decline in carbon emissions.”
It is important that, as Guyana continues to make great strides, that the context of the national development agenda remains in focus. The President’s comment, therefore, is an indication that development will not “cost” the country and citizens, especially in relation to the overall viability of the national economy and the environment.
The Head-of-State gave the reassurance that the Administration remains committed to ensuring that the development agenda in place for the citizens of Guyana enhances the integrity of the country’s national and natural resources, as persons access modern services, facilities and conveniences.