Latest update March 26th, 2026 12:30 AM
Hicken floods East Bank with cops
…after Pres. Ali’s furious rebuke over traffic chaos
Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken inspecting the road works along the East Bak corridor, enforcing measures to manage traffic congestion.
(Kaieteur News) – Traffic hell along the East Bank Demerara corridor has finally forced the hand of law enforcement. Following President Irfaan Ali’s blistering attack on what he branded “gross mismanagement” and “slackness,” Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken has ordered a flood of ranks to the congested highway in a desperate bid to restore order.
According to a police statement on Tuesday, Commissioner Hicken, accompanied by the Commander of Regional Division 4B, the Division’s Traffic Officer Michael Ramdass, and his Personal Assistant, ASP Kevindra Lall, visited the project site to assess the situation and implement new measures aimed at ensuring smoother traffic flow. “Commissioner Hicken issued strict instructions for an increased presence of traffic ranks and emphasised that firm action must be taken against road users, particularly truck drivers, who disregard traffic regulations and endanger public safety,” the police statement noted.
In an interview with Kaieteur News, Traffic Chief, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mahendra Singh confirmed that more than 25 traffic ranks are currently deployed between the Highway Base, Madewini, and Soesdyke to assist with traffic control. He explained that while ranks cannot be stationed continuously day and night due to rotation requirements under standard operating procedures, their presence has already made a difference. “Those ranks manage multiple roadways on rotation. The sustained presence is to enhance traffic management while also factoring their time off and issues of welfare,” he said.
Singh further stated that even before the Commissioner’s directives, additional ranks had been deployed to the area. “We sent additional ranks equipped with body cameras and radio network for ease of communication and to bolster the presence for directional flow of traffic and to identify those who are constantly breaking the laws on the road, such as over taking multiple vehicles; driving in a manner that is careless and dangerous, fail to comply with signs or directions. Our presence complements the measures in place by the contractor and consultant,” Singh said.
Addressing concerns about drivers using alternative routes to bypass congestion, and disobeying the laws on the road, Singh warned that those caught will face prosecution. “Motorists, chief among them mini bus operators during the peak hours and as recent as this morning, overtook the line, they have been identified and those who are already located and vehicle examined are forewarned of prosecution for the offence,” he stated. He also emphasized that offenders, regardless of their alignment will face charges. “I want to be fair. Mind you, the overtaking is not only done by private oriented persons. Some persons from the joint service overtake as well, drivers who utilize utility vehicles from ministries, do the same, “Singh added.
Traffic Chief Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh
He urged all motorists to follow traffic regulations, saying, “If everyone complied with the rules and drove within the available space, we wouldn’t have incidents like the one involving the bus driver on the new bridge.”
The Commissioner’s order follows president Irfaan Ali’s strong rebuke on Sunday after days of severe gridlock left commuters frustrated. The President convened an emergency meeting with senior officials from the Ministry of Public Works, the Guyana Police Force, the Coast Guard, the Chinese contractor China Road & Bridge Corporation (CRBC), and the U.S.-based consultant Sheladia Associates Inc., criticizing what he described as “gross mismanagement” and “slackness.”
President Ali demanded an immediate restructuring of traffic and work coordination, ordering that daily work plans be shared with the traffic control team and that all opened areas be usable by the next day. To crack down on reckless driving and lawlessness, president Ali instructed Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken to establish a permanent control base along the corridor, using containerised command posts and 24-hour drone surveillance to monitor traffic and identify violators. The president made it clear that his patience had run out. “All the trucks that are breaking the rules, all the trucks that are breaking the laws, forming three lanes and four lanes — you have to charge the drivers,” the President warned bluntly. Mr. Ali also ordered the control room moved closer to the construction site and demanded a new work plan showing how additional machinery and manpower will be deployed immediately to accelerate progress.
He also instructed the Coast Guard and the Police Marine Unit to be on standby to ferry passengers to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport if traffic becomes unmanageable. Ali concluded with a stern warning that no further excuses will be tolerated. “There must be coordination, teamwork, and precision in getting this work done,” he said, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to mismanagement and indiscipline along one of the country’s most vital transportation corridors.
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I see where improvement could be profitable moving passengers who could
afford it, from any place to the CJIA- bypassing the EAST BANK CORRIDOR.
An AIR SERVICE from Ogle, or Berbice by small aircraft direct to CJIA.
And they will not miss their flights.
This service will not GOUGE outgoing passengers of the fares. It must be
reasonable and affordable and it will sustain itself. If such is not yet in
operation, somebody better think fast.