Collaborative approach needed to clear Corentyne Highway of derelict vehicles – Minister
A collaborative approach between several Ministries is needed to clear the Corentyne Highway, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), of derelict vehicles. This is according to Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall.
This truck was parked at Number 47 Village Corentyne for more than three years
Residents use the shoulders of the roads as a vehicle cemetery on the Corentyne and authorities have been shirking the blame. The police and by extension the Home Affairs Ministry have said that the roads belong to the Public Works Ministry, hence, it is that Ministry’s responsibility to have the road’s shoulders cleared.
This large combine was dumped at Number 65 Village more than a decade ago
However, the Public Works Ministry said it is the Local Government Ministry through the local Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) which have the responsibility, while the NDCs point to the police.
The huge number of derelict vehicles left on the shoulders on the Corentyne Highway has been a worrying issue and comes to the fore whenever a road accident occurs as a result of some derelict vehicle.
This dragline, which is out of order and belongs to an NDC, was left on the road for more than three years
On New Year’s Day 2019, a hire car driver, Jaggernauth Ramkarran, of Crabwood Creek died after slamming into a parked tractor at Number 67 Village.
On April 18, 2018, a mother of one was killed and other family members injured when the car in which they were travelling slammed into a parked truck at Number 58 Village.
Every year there are persons who die on the Corentyne Highway as a result of derelict vehicles which continue to pose a danger for all road users.
Minister Dharamlall, during a visit to the Region, said that no one Ministry is responsible while noting that a collaborative approach must be implemented.
“I don’t think it is the police’s responsibility. I think it has to be a collaborative approach between the Ministry of Public works and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development with support from the police. I think the onus is on our Ministry to make sure that we clear the road of derelict vehicles or derelict pieces which is a work in hand which will be enhanced next year,” Dharamlall said.
Some hire car owners leave their unwanted vehicles on the parapet and revisit it only if they need a part while heavy-duty machinery is also discarded by being placed on the road’s shoulders.
In fact, the 52-74 NDC last month publicly stated that it has an unwanted dragline which they chose to leave on the road’s shoulder for years.
