-Benn, Edghill tackle congestion issues

HOME Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, and Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, on Friday, visited the Stabroek Market Square to assess the congestion problem in the area.
Accompanying the ministers on the walkabout were adviser to the minister on the security sector, Harry Gill; Regional Commander of Division Four, Assistant Commissioner Simon McBean; Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Ramesh Ashram; and Permanent Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry, Mae Toussaint Jr. Thomas.

The main aim of the walkabout was to consider sustainable ways to counter the congestion problem in the busy downtown shopping area.
Minister Benn highlighted several issues including the disorganised manner in which the minibuses operate. As a possible remedy, he suggested that there be a first come first serve system established for the minibuses.

“We all know that the situation around this area is precarious. It’s congested and dangerous, and we have to try again to bring a reasonable situation with respect to traffic flow and the safety of persons traversing the area.”

Further, the minister spoke to the issue of vendors adding to the congestion of the market square by having their movable stalls extended onto the roadway.
He stated that there needs to be a clear indication of where the road ends and tasked the police with the responsibility of making the required demarcations.
Additionally, he used the opportunity to engage the vendors who are blocking the entrance and exit to the Guyana Fire Service headquarters.
“We are not happy of course with a lot of selling that is going on [on] the roadway which should be open to traffic and the fire service assets; the fire trucks and the ambulances. That’s a very difficult situation at the moment. We are requiring that the persons that are selling on the roadway to move off of the roadways,” he said.

The minister stated that presently, he does not foresee the removal of the fire station from that Stabroek Market location as it is strategically positioned to speedily respond to the fire prone areas in central Georgetown. He further noted that the fire service will be looking to demarcate the fire lanes so that there is free movement of the fire service vehicles.
During the walkabout, attempts were made to identify representatives for the varying minibus districts and the vendors. Minister Benn stated that he intends to host discussions with those representatives to devise solutions for the congestion issues which would benefit everyone.

Minister Benn further highlighted that he has noticed many of the vendors flouting the COVID-19 guidelines. He expressed his intent to engage the relevant body with regards to looking into that situation.

“It appears to me that many vendors are selling without the wearing of masks. I don’t see the spray bottles and hand wipes for some of the people who were selling. I’m not sure that the vegetables are washed before given to the customers,” he said.
Meanwhile, ranks of the Guyana Police Force will be moving ahead with the demarcating and installation of road signs to clearly indicate the spaces which are allocated for vehicular use at the Stabroek Market Square.