Greater enforcement from NDCs needed to curb animals on roadways – Jagdeo

– says owners to be held responsible, societal response needed

Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has called on the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to have greater enforcement when it comes to unattended animals on the roadways.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference on Friday, Jagdeo pointed out that the penalties are there for NDCs to take actions against animal owners.
“There are penalties already for the animals on the road but they are not being enforced. So, clearly greater enforcement [is needed] particularly along the highways,” the VP stated in response to a question from the Guyana Times about the increasing presence of unattended animals on the roadways.

Only Monday morning, a motorcyclist was killed after colliding with an unbranded cow that was crossing the Number 41 Stanleytown Public Road, New Amsterdam, Berbice.
Twenty-five-year-old Jamal Hughes of Glasgow Village, East Bank Berbice (EBB) died while receiving medical treatment at the New Amsterdam Hospital, while his pillion rider, 24-year-old Marashia Dehart, also of Stanleytown, was injured.
Moreover, there continues to be unattended and stray animals grazing along major roadways across the country, causing disruptions to the flow of traffic.
The recently opened Heroes Highway along the East Bank Demerara (EBD)corridor is prone to such activity. In fact, there have been several instances where animals were struck down by vehicles on the highway and left there for days. Just last month, two cows were struck and killed on Heroes Highway.
Back in February, Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Traffic Department had implored cattle owners to properly secure their animals, after four cows were struck and killed on the East Bank Public Road.

The incident has reignited concerns about stray livestock posing serious hazards to motorists, particularly on highways where speeding is common. Concerns have also been expressed over a growing trend where cattle owners deliberately avoid branding their livestock, making it difficult to determine ownership in the event of an accident or theft.
Meanwhile, VP Jagdeo on Thursday contended that it is not just Government’s job to curb the presence of animals on the roadway, noting that cattle owners must also be held responsible for the situation.
“People have to be held more responsible for allowing [their animals on the roads]. Some people just put their animals on the side of the road and go home. They just leave them there to graze all day – so clearly, lots have to change,” he stated.
In addition to unattended animals, Jagdeo also raised concerns about the increasing presence of heavy-duty trucks and machinery that are left parked on the side of the road, impeding traffic, especially within communities.
He encouraged that such culprits be ‘named and shamed’ and reported to NDCs so that actions can be taken to remove them.
“We need to look at that more too. People need to be held more responsible for their actions… It has to change; attitudes have to change. You can’t just deposit something [and leave it there],” the VP stressed.
Nevertheless, to tackle this issue, Government is currently exploring the development of industrial/commercial zones in each community that can be utilised by businesses, thus reducing any inconvenience or disturbances to residents.
“[We’re looking at] commercial areas for paid parking. So, if you have 10 trucks, you go and pay a fee to park there so your trucks are not sitting on the side of the roadside …which we’re working on already across the country. So, that hopefully will improve the situation.”
But while Government is doing this, the VP emphasised that a societal approach is needed to curb these practices.
“Clearly, a lot more has to be done in that regard but a lot has to do with the enforcement and requires a societal response – not just a Government response,” Jagdeo contended.