Put measures in place to avert accidents along the Takatu bridge

Jul 09, 2008 Letters

Dear Editor,
I am an avid reader of the articles and letters in the newspapers and although I am sometimes motivated to write my own letters to the Editors to express my pleasure or displeasure on some items that relate to community development, I have never done so. Nevertheless, I am moved to write after reading the article on the Takatu Bridge that appeared in the SN of June 15th, 2008.

I am now a retired personality and I live in the Rupununi, off and on, since 1965, for a period of some 14 years, being involved in Education (St. Ignatius Primary School Teacher) and other fields of endeavour; (Field Station Administrator in the early days of the Iwokrama Field Station).

As far as I am concerned, the Rupununi is the most beautiful place in Guyana where one can live and enjoy the peaceful nature of the Hinterland.

The article mentioned several aspects related to the opening of the Bridge in October viz. the development of Tourism, Customs and Immigration, Security measures etc., etc., but no mention was made of matters to be put in place early to deal with the actual flow of traffic (vehicles) across the Bridge.

Permit me here to remind the stakeholders (a favourite word used by the Government Administration), both Brazilian and Guyanese, of an accident that took place on the road going north to Annai in the mid 80s whereby two of my colleagues, Kern Bacchus (REO – Lethem at that time) and Mr. Daniel Wallace (Ex. D.D.O – Regional Development Ministry), almost lost their lives in a head on collision with a Brazilian vehicle and a Guyana Government vehicle.

The Brazilians are by law mandated to drive on the right side of the road in Brazil. Guyanese drivers also by law drive on the left side of the road in Guyana.

I leave it to your imagination of what happened when the driver of the Brazilian vehicle hugged the right side of the road.

What happens now that the Bridge is about to be opened? We, and by we I mean certain Government authorities, are in the habit of “closing the barn door after the horse has escaped”.

I wish therefore to add my three cents to advise stakeholders of this bridge and those suggestions are:-
1. Prominent signs to be placed at both ends of the Bridge – Brazil end, Guyana – end – to remind drivers to obey the traffic rules, signs, etc. (call them what you may), when (a) crossing the Bridge and (b) when in unfamiliar territory. I might add that these signs should be placed along both approaches to the Bridge (Brazil, Guyana);

2. Stickers for cars, jeeps, trucks, etc., be made available at both ends of the Bridge, reminding driver’s on which side of the road to drive. The stickers can be issued by both Brazil and Guyana and placed at a convenient corner of the respective vehicle’s windscreen, for drivers using the Bridge.

If my three cents of advice does not make sense – talk to Terry Boston or Harold D’Aguair of Lethem and I’m sure they will substantiate that my advice is sound and not to be ignored.

I’m looking forward to the opening of the Bridge, as I have a strong desire to return to the Rupununi and to enjoy the ambience of that beautiful place.

Jim Holder

Latest News

Put measures in place to avert accidents along the Takatu bridge

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Beckford brace Slingerz to fourth win on the trot, as Santos topple...

West Indies Women’s World Cup hopes in jeopardy...

GCC, Ogle, East Bank among winners as Demerara...

Unbeaten GCA storm to 2025 title

Tucber Park Cricket Club receives cricket gear...

Young guns flourish at Moo! National Junior’s...

Features/Columnists

Of Silk and Steel

Collaborative Government–Private Sector Action Imperative for a Resilient Trade Future

Rogue cops – only a few around

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Put measures in place to avert accidents along the Takatu bridge

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]