- enforcement against those who don’t comply
RESHUFFLING of parking arrangements for minibuses and hire cars operating in and out of Georgetown, currently being implemented are gradually taking hold among public transport operators and users while necessary adjustments are being made to aid the process.

The new arrangements are in keeping with government’s continuing efforts to enhance traffic management and orderliness in the city by addressing issues of congestion which is caused by factors such as encroachment of the roadway and reserves by vendors and disorderly parking activities.

During a walkabout in the City to examine the new parking arrangements, Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn, noted that while significant progress has been made, his Ministry, the Home Affairs Ministry, the Police Traffic Department and the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) are collaborating to resolve outstanding issues.

“The overwhelming majority of people are seeing benefits from the system and want to have changes. It will take some time to sort out some of the issues over the next two days, but I think that after that we will be alright,” the minister stated.

Some of the engineering and quality issues that are being given attention include arrangements for the University of Guyana (UG)/Industry operators, stallholders and others who provide delivery services to Stabroek Market. However, it was emphasised that these matters will be addressed to ensure the system works well.

“We are sticking with this process over the next two weeks to ensure it works and we intend to have enforcement for any situation where people are going outside of the arrangements we have put in place. There will be some minor modifications over the next two days,” Benn stressed.

He added that “the question of vendor’s encroachment and people selling fruits and people selling bread is one that we have to keep working with the Police and with the City Council for their enforcement. The rules are simple. People know what we should obtain and we want to encourage them to follow these simple rules so there is order and safety.”

Additionally, other areas of improvement are being pursued to support the ongoing enhancement exercise. These include installation of lights in front of the Stabroek Market and behind the fire station to address insecurity in the area and make the environment more comfortable for the public.

Lights will also be installed at the southern section of the market while there will be paintings of signals and markings to identify the various parking facilities. The establishment of sanitary facilities is another issue to be addressed as part of the ongoing upgrading programme for central Georgetown.

Over the years, Government has invested significantly to improve the City’s road network, garbage collection and disposal and drainage and irrigation. Upgrading of the markets and general beautification are other aspects of the programme.

Accompanying the Minister on the visit were Traffic Engineer Kadri Parris and other senior officials of the Public Works Ministry and Police Traffic Department including Deputy Superintendent of the Brickdam Traffic Department John Daniels.