Seeding a rail system should be considered in the upcoming budget

Jan 16, 2021 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

The plans to establish new highways and bridges for automobile usage in the upcoming budget are a sign of a healthy ambition in our new Administration. The economic reality before us does provide much insight into the shift occurring globally in more developed nations across Europe and Asia. For the movement of goods and people it has been shown that Rail is a much more economically feasible option over the long term when compared to the road system. It allows for agriculture, manufacturing and other productive sector development while also providing a less expensive means of transportation for citizens and visitors of these nations. The lower impact on the climate due to reduced greenhouse gas emissions is also very significant and should be incorporated into our Green State Development Strategy. The year 2025 is not far off and the President Elect of the USA plans to reaffirm their commitment to the Paris Agreement. This will reenergize the global community’s efforts to accomplish the near term climate change goals. We as a nation must also do our part and raise the bar on our internal expectations.
The current Administration would benefit from taking a closer look at installing a Rail System that connects our regions and towns. A national transport system in the interim that also incorporates an improved ferry infrastructure will also help reduce the overall cost while allowing for more ecotourism. The upkeep of such a national transportation system is less over the long term and can withstand the elements much better than a road network in our tropical climate. The rainy seasons over the years have shown the pitfalls and expense associated with the current roadways. The ongoing move to electrical and autonomous automobiles will require very high standards and an extremely reliable road and electricity network. These are areas that Guyana has struggled with over the decades and the rail system allows us to bypass these issues while still achieving the reliability, dependability, comfort and low energy consumption goals that the automotive industry is pursuing.
We must admit that the British had it correct the first time and there is no shame in being able to reverse the errors of the past. Our rail system if it was still in place today would have been the second oldest in the world. Restoring it to its former glory re-establishes its heritage which we can leverage in our Tourism Sector. This also holds true in the case of an expansion of the system as is being proposed.
Our farmers, workers and the economy will thank The Parliament if such a transportation system is put in place. The roads will also become much safer and less congested. The Tourism Sector will have much more to offer in sight-seeing and the everyday commuters will have more money in their pocket as a result of the savings. The economic multiplier from establishing a rail and train system and the increased employment will be substantial as has been shown historically. It has always been a great catalyst to an economic boom.
Overall, it is a much better and a more reliable infrastructure developmental option vs. that of the automobile and road system. I am looking forward to the presentation of the upcoming budget and the clarification brought about by a constructive debate of the projects associated with such infrastructural investment options. Each dollar spent must have the greatest positive long term impact possible. We are on the cusp of building a sustainable and successful future for Our Nation.

Best regards,
Mr. Jamil Changlee
Chairman
The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

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