Linden community raises concern about logging trucks

…calls for stern, serious action against errant drivers

Officials have expressed concerns over dangers posed by defaulting logging trucks which traverse the Linden community and the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, during a meeting which was called to address the issue at the office of the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Regional Democratic Council in Linden on Tuesday.
Several issues were highlighted and discussed with Minister within the Communities Ministry, Valerie Yearwood; Minister Simona Broomes; Regional Chairman Renis Morian; the Police; Councillors; and representatives of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC). The discourse was also geared at finding solutions on the way forward.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian, in chronicling numerous fatalities involving logging trucks in Linden and on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway over the years, said the time has come to put an end to defaulting logger trucks.
Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira, who was also at the meeting, noted that the issue can be considered a plague to the community as these trucks pose eminent and consistent danger to road users, utilising both internal roads and on the Linden Highway. “Too many lives were lost,” he said. Figueira said often times these trucks lack suitable lighting and are not properly equipped with the necessary reflectors.
Commander of E Division (Linden-Kwakwani), Anthony Vanderhyden, noted that logging trucks have been restricted from traversing the area from 18:00h to 06:00h in an effort to minimise the dangers they pose.
Additionally, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Orrin Gordon called for stern and serious action to be taken against errant drivers, while Councillor Wainewright Bethune expressed concerns over the haphazard way the trucks are parked. Bethune also pointed out that many internal roads are destroyed as a result of the utilisation of these trucks. Deputy Commissioner of Forests within the Forest Monitoring Division of GFC, Gavin Agard, urged that logging trucks follow the stipulated regulations, including being equipped with functional lights, reflectors and cones and must not be overloaded. Meanwhile, Minister Yearwood said the issue lies with enforcement as she pointed blame on the Logging Association which was unrepresented at the meeting. Minister Yearwood pointed out that there are containers which now transport logs concealed along the highway as she also suggested that logs be transported via the river. She also pointed to the situation whereby reflectors have been stolen from the Highway. Minister Broomes also pointed to several irregularities including speeding and double parking by these trucks along the Highway, noting that there have been numerous complaints. The Minister said preventing accidents should be the utmost priority as she urged all agencies to work in close collaboration. (Utamu Belle)