$45M spent last year clearing roadways of derelict vehicles – Edghill

– warns persons will be hauled before courts if more derelicts return

Last year, some $45 million was spent by the Government of Guyana to remove derelict vehicles from the roadways, and this year, the Government will be continuing its crack down on a number of road management issues such as derelict vehicles and trucks that are parked in a way that encumbers traffic.
This was explained by Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, during the examination of the budget estimates, where he noted that these derelict vehicles, once removed will likely be processed and sold for scrap metal. He also made it clear that if persons return more derelict vehicles to spots that have already been cleared by the Government, they will be charged.
Minister Edghill gave as an example a businessman who has been dumping vehicles on the Kitty, Georgetown, Railway Line, in the vicinity of the Alliance For Change (AFC) headquarters.
According to the Minister, action was taken in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) just last week.
“Notice was served to that gentleman last week Thursday afternoon. We have removed derelicts from there and it has returned. And in the presence of the Commander of the Division, we said to him, if you bring back derelicts – and this goes for everyone – you will be charged and placed before the court.”
“We would have spent about $45 million last year moving derelicts in Region Six, Five, Four, Three, Two; on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway. And we have to get this under control. We don’t want to take bread out of people’s mouth, but certainly, safety,” Edghill explained.
Another issue, according to the Minister, is that the Ministry has had to move sand from the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) thoroughfare. And just like heaps of sand presents a road hazard to commuters, so too are trucks parked on the roadway.
“It is important to note, to assist the police, just the other day we handed over to them 50-wheel clamps for cars. And we are procuring 200 clamps for trucks. And that is for a particular reason,” Edghill said.
“Once you make them immobile and shut them down and leave them for a while, when people’s pockets start being affected, they come into compliance. And there will be tough measures. That is why we have the policy paper, at the cabinet subcommittee, which we will be discussing.”
Edghill emphasised that this toughening of measures is not meant to target anyone, but rather to return the country to a “place of decency, where we could operate in a safe manner”.
The matter of mechanics who leave their customers’ derelict vehicles on streets within communities for months on end was also raised in the National Assembly by Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira.
Edghill acknowledged this issue and noted that while it falls under the purview of the relevant Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), central Government has been providing them with assistance to move these vehicles.
“The responsibilities of those inner streets are the responsibility of the municipalities and NDC’s. They have said to us that they don’t have the resources, the two trucks and so on. And what we’ve been doing, is getting them to serve the notice in keeping with the law and when it’s not complied with, then we go in and help,” Edghill said.
“This is also a good time to make a call. Because I get letters from NDC’s, as well as citizens, of people in communities they’re upset with that they can’t pass (on the road). And often times, you try to get community engagements because a person working, living in a community and you’re obstructing the flow of your own neighbours. At some point you have to listen to your neighbours,” he advised.
The Minister recalled a time when they had to beg a resident on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) to move a 40-foot container from the road. But with their pleas falling on deaf ears, it was the Government itself that had to move the container.
Meanwhile, Edghill also said that discussions are ongoing on where they will be mounting traffic lights along roads such as the Heroes Highway and budgetary allocations have been made for this.