A PROPOSAL by Acting Tourism Minister, Irfaan Ali, to construct temporary, load-bearing, structures across canals in the capital city which will function as parking spaces, was considered by Cabinet on Tuesday. And public consultations on the matter are expected to commence soon, according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon.
His remarks were made at his weekly post-Cabinet press conference, held at the Office of the President yesterday.
Dr. Luncheon noted that the move was premised on the fact that there is increasing traffic congestion and limited parking spaces in Georgetown, given the massive influx of vehicles into the country.
Notable is the fact that within less than a year, the PSS vehicle licensing series, which caters for 9,999 vehicles, has ended and a new series, PTT, is expected to start soon. The ‘P’ series relates only to private vehicles and does not count the other significant number of vehicles used for hire, both cars and minibuses, as well as those used for transporting goods.
Dr. Luncheon noted that the canals at Avenue of the Republic and South and Croal Streets have been identified as the first two areas, where the initiative could be introduced.
He explained that because the proposed structures will be temporary ones, there will be no encumbrances to cleaning and dredging the canals when needed.
“The consultations are expected to start soon,” the HPS assured.