In light of the decision of the Government to ban used tyres, drivers are still maintaining that with the implementation of the ban, there should also be measures put in place with regard to the road network development in the country.
According to a host of drivers who met with Guyana Times on Saturday, the decision to ban used tyres has created a major financial hurdle which was worsened by the bad roads in the country which they say quickly damage the new tyres. The drivers said that the cost of the new tyres was exorbitant and they were not as durable as the Government highlighted they would be since they needed to be frequently replaced, adding to their expense.
“They ban the tyres and we had to accept it, right? So, why they can’t fix the roads now? The tyres don’t even last long and the roads destroying them faster. The Government, the Town Clerk seh the tyres gon last long, he mussy don’t use Georgetown roads. We gotta spend more and more money. What happen man, is nothing we ain’t got to do but waste we hard earnings?” voiced a private car driver who identified himself only as Singh.
The drivers, however, indicated that if the roads, especially in Georgetown, were repaired given their current “broken” and “deteriorated state”, they would be more inclined to accept the Government’s prohibition of used tyres in the country.
“It will make more sense if they just fix the roads and done, man. We can’t accept this law if we gotta keep getting in expense…. That’s nonsense. The roads got some big big holes in it and we gotta drive in it, and the tyres damaging up more. Let them fix the road and then we gon accept they new law. They just sit down there making laws like it’s nothing because it ain’t affecting them. They ain’t concern about poor people,” one driver commented.
