I hope for improved roadways and courteous traffic officers when I return

Apr 03, 2019 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

The efficiency of any workforce starts with the discipline of arriving at your work station at a timely manner. It is no secret that the East Coast public road is under construction in Guyana. It is also no secret that the roads cannot accommodate the amount of traffic during rush hours in the morning.
However the frustration of commuters is now at a point where there are regular stand-offs with drivers and traffic ranks – many of whom are either trying to get their children to school or get themselves to work.
There are no demarcations or visible signs on most of the roadway to direct drivers. And bottlenecks are created by these smart officers only during the period of commute to work or when it’s time to get home at the end of a hard day – a stark contrast to the traffic ranks on the East Bank of Demerara, who prioritize the Guyana workforce and arrange the traffic to suit the needs of the commuters in that zone. They do not create bottlenecks.
This problem is particularly along the stretch from Better Hope to Le Ressouvenir. Instead of designating the roadway as it should be – left-handed driving – I see drivers are restricted in a certain zone and forced into long lines, even though the road can now accommodate traffic safety in both lanes on both sides….But…here’s where it gets funny …during the normal hours of the day, the traffic is allowed to roam freely on either side of the roadway. This is ludicrous.
The roads are opened in all other construction zones for the road except this one.
The Police were observed creating laws in this zone and charging persons for traffic offences that are not warranted or justifiable.
How can you charge someone for driving in a line in an area that’s not yet demarcated or under construction?
One day you may be allowed to traverse a certain area then the next day or later that day commuters may be charged for driving in the same area a police rank has directed them to drive earlier… It’s nonsense.
Access to our hotel was also blocked. Unnecessary bottlenecks are created in an area where a taxi service is allowed to park cars that project onto the commuters’ path – the commuters then have to adjust to the road conditions and vehicles pulling out and reversing in that area.
The left side of the carriageway is drivable – allow drivers to use it just as the other areas on the East Coast are being used and allow persons heading up the East Coast to traverse freely without obstruction and frustration.
The Officers should be looking for persons speeding and stopping in the paths of other drivers and pedestrians…but that doesn’t create a “charge” as often, so actually helping people in that community in Guyana is not priority – a vast contrast to the East Bank Officers who are prepped in groups by their senior officer at 6:45 am and are kind to citizens.
I hope the road is completed before my return in July, when my friend will once again drive me around on the improved roadways and courteous Officers to comfortably conduct business in beautiful Guyana.
N. Richmond
70 Dante Court
Toronto,
Canada.

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