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Modernisation should not mean abandoning traditional livelihoods
Dear Editor,
As a public analyst who has been involved in community programmes in Guyana, I believe we need to have a balanced national discussion about the continued use of horse-drawn carts on our highways, village streets and avenues. Across the country, many individuals continue to use horse carts to transport goods, lumber, agricultural products and other materials. For some, this traditional form of transportation remains an important source of income and a means of providing for their families.
I am fully supportive of anyone who is willing to work hard and earn an honest living. However, Guyana’s transportation system is rapidly changing, with increasing numbers of heavy-duty trucks, industrial vehicles, cars and motorcycles using our roads. This modernisation creates legitimate concerns about how horse carts and modern vehicles can safely share the same roadways, particularly on busy highways and major transportation routes.
The issue of road safety therefore deserves serious attention. Differences in speed, size, visibility and manoeuvrability can create dangerous situations involving horse carts and motor vehicles. The authorities have already raised concerns about road safety and the need to comply with existing laws and regulations. Rather than waiting for more serious accidents to occur, we should examine whether our current policies are still adequate for Guyana’s changing transportation environment.
Animal welfare must also be part of this discussion. Concerns have consistently been raised by animal advocates about the treatment and working conditions of horses used with carts. While many cart owners may care properly for their animals, appropriate standards should ensure that horses receive adequate food, water, rest, shelter and veterinary care and are not subjected to excessive workloads or unsafe conditions.
At the same time, we must recognise the economic reality facing cart drivers. There are people across Guyana who depend on this traditional occupation because it provides them with an income when other employment opportunities may not be readily available. Simply removing horse carts from the roads without considering these livelihoods could place additional financial pressure on already vulnerable families.
I believe the answer should therefore be a balanced review rather than an immediate ban. Government agencies, the police, animal-welfare organisations, transportation stakeholders, communities and cart drivers should have a meaningful discussion about possible solutions. These could include clearer registration requirements, designated routes, appropriate operating hours, visibility and safety requirements, load limits, driver responsibilities and enforceable animal-welfare standards.
In 2026, Guyana must recognise that our transportation system is evolving and our laws and policies may need to evolve with it. Modernisation should not mean abandoning traditional livelihoods, but neither should tradition prevent us from addressing genuine concerns about road safety and animal welfare. A comprehensive review could help Guyana protect its road users, safeguard animals and, importantly, ensure that the people who depend on horse-cart transportation are not simply left behind by the country’s development.
Sincerely,
Blane R Bunbury
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