IN the midst of significant infrastructural development sweeping across Guyana, residents along the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) are expressing gratitude to the government for addressing their concerns regarding traffic congestion. The ongoing road-widening projects have garnered praise from locals who anticipate improved mobility and reduced commuting times.

Speaking with a member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Criminal Investigations Department (C.I.D.), Officer Choroman Singh explained that the widening of the roads influenced his decision to live on the East Coast.

According to the policeman, “Coming from a simple, less congested, and somewhat more tone-down county of Essequibo, the traffic jams and the reckless usage of the roadways were something that we were never accustomed to. However, being in the GPF has required me to live in Georgetown from a very tender age, but I have never gotten accustomed to the traffic. After receiving my house lot from the Ministry of Housing at Strathspey and realising that the government is turning the road on the line into a four-lane, that motivated me to want to build my home even faster.”

Officer Singh continued, “The road projects across the country are great, and the initiative for the one on the line is even better, because of the relief that it would bring to the working class as well as the schoolchildren. Not having to deal with the long lines of vehicles, less congestion, and a smoother process on the roadways are some of the reasons why I am thankful for the new roads.”

Utilising his position as a GPF officer, the CID rank urged drivers to obey traffic laws and show mutual respect while driving. “Speed kills, it isn’t worth it, and we need to all play our part to change this culture that we have developed,” he added.

Furthermore, during the interview with this publication, Brian Turman, a vendor from Bladen Hall, shared that he regularly goes to the Bourda Market to buy his staple food items. Despite his feelings of stress, Turman acknowledged that he has no other option but to go.

“The broadness of these roads has its positives and negatives. On the positive side, we are happy that the government is bringing relief to us by easing the traffic problems. And we can get to do our business in a faster and better manner. If I had a choice, I would have gone to Georgetown once a month, but I have to go three to four times a week to buy my plantains, cassava, and so on.”

Referencing the negative side of the infrastructural development, Turman said, “This development is good; as a country, we are looking good, better than we used to, but I do sometimes ask myself if these roads are worth it or if we should just stay with our old ones. When I see the accidents that are happening on the roadways and the careless behaviour, I say to myself that it is better if we stay on the old roads. Some of these drivers don’t care about what they do. They are hitting you down like animals.”

When asked about what it is that he would like to see, the vendor said, “I think that the police can do more to help with this issue. We have illegal tints, illegal lights, black number plates, speeding, passing through red traffic lights, and all this craziness. How come no one isn’t seeing them? They are on the road every day.”

Furthermore, the Guyana Chronicle interviewed Seon Robinson, a taxi driver who resides and operates on the East Coast of Demerara.

According to him, “I am so happy that the government is making these roads. I know that this will help all of us, not only the people but also the drivers. And as a driver, I am asking my fellow drivers to do what the laws say: stop racing and rushing like you are alone on the road. I am a driver who is hustling just like you all, but I believe in safety first. We are getting a lot of nice roads, so I hope that we can make sure that we live to enjoy it too. To President Ali and his team, thank you for looking out for the people of this country and giving us better opportunities to earn our money.”

During a recent discussion with East Coast residents about the four-lane project, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, expressed that the primary objective of these initiatives is to alleviate traffic congestion and provide significant relief to the people. According to him, “Whatever we are doing, if it adversely affects someone, we have to find a way of remedying that because our overall objective is not to make your life harder. It is to make your life better. That is what governments do. That is why we are doing a project. It is about improving people’s lives. Whenever we do something, ultimately it is the beneficiaries that we want to be satisfied.”

The ongoing road-widening projects serve as a testament to the government’s dedication to addressing the needs of the community, with a focus on enhancing mobility, safety, and overall well-being. As construction progresses, residents eagerly anticipate the tangible benefits these initiatives will bring to their daily lives.