DAYS after it warned pedestrians not to use the overpasses along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) until they are commissioned, the Public Infrastructure Ministry has reversed its decision, saying now the overpasses can be used under the guidance of the police.

In a press statement on Friday, the Public Infrastructure Ministry said it has reconsidered its position on the usage of the overpasses on the East Bank. “MOPI will now allow citizens to use those overpasses that have been cleared by the engineers as we await the date of commissioning. Citizens will be guided accordingly by Police Officers during the rush hours in the mornings and afternoons,” the ministry stated.

However, it is urging persons, especially children to desist from loitering or playing on the overpasses during or after school hours. Head Teachers within the overpass areas are also asked to take note and be guided by this notice.

Minister within the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, had said that the Pedestrian Overpasses on the East Bank were in the final stage of completion and citizens should wait until they are commissioned.

Her instructions not to utilize the overpasses came days after a Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) man, Navin Surujpaul, took his own life by jumping off the pedestrian overpass at Diamond on December 30. Minister Ferguson called the incident unfortunate.

“Guyanese always love to test things, so you know with what happened there is unfortunate that the gentleman would have used that facility to take his own life…when that facility is not intended for that. It is intended to get pedestrian from the western end to the eastern end and vise-versa,” the Junior Public Infrastructure Minister said.

Minister Ferguson is appealing to the public that when the three overpasses are commissioned, to use the facilities with care, caution and consideration. The Houston, Providence and Diamond overpasses are likely to be completed by February, 2018.

Earlier last year, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had announced that a US$364,000 contract was awarded for the pedestrian overpass at Diamond and a US$1M contract for those at Houston, Peter’s Hall and at Eccles.

The construction of the overpasses at Houston, Eccles and Peter’s Hall were awarded to B&J Civil Works whilst those at Providence and Diamond were awarded to S Jagmohan Hardware. Between 2018 and 2020, overpasses will also be built on the East Coast and West Bank of Demerara.