The closure of several main roadways in the vicinity of Parliament Buildings to facilitate parliamentary sessions on Friday once again resulted in major traffic jams across the city. Many drivers and public transport vehicles were left with no choice but to utilise other routes.
Guyana Times visited several locations in close proximity to the closed roads, and observed long queues of vehicles spanning the streets in their attempt to divert from the traffic.
While Police officers were deployed at the areas to direct and monitor the steady flow of traffic, many vented their frustrations at the time they had to spend in the humid weather conditions.
One of the drivers who commented on the issue opined that the situation has become unbearable, since all the vehicles are crammed into one street at times such as this. He noted that the streets were barricaded hours before the sessions began, which added to the commotion.
“This can’t be happening! If they want to close it for a few hours, at least do it at that time; not since this morning, when you have people that have to go places,” the driver lamented.
On Hadfield Street, Georgetown, another driver indicated that he had spent 15
The corner of Hadfield Street and Manget Place during the road closure
minutes to move from High Street to Manget Place. He asserted that better arrangements should be in place to accommodate traffic flow, since the area is a busy hub for many activities.
The traffic buildup intensified as the afternoon hours progressed, exacerbating the situation for the tr,avelling public.
It was another scenario at the Stabroek area, since some of the bus parks were relocated. According to drivers, this means that commuters would have to walk longer distances to reach their desired buses, and would have to manoeuvre their way into the traffic jams, causing additional time to be spent on one trip.
Brien, a bus driver who operates at the Route 31 bus park (Georgetown to Patentia) related, “We wasting time in this line! I say they got to make better arrangements, cause if this happening every week, what going to happen to we?
“Some people don’t know where they put we (the buses), so they gotta ask round. And then when they find we, them complaining of how far they walk and all kinda thing,” he added.
Furthermore, since access to the Stabroek Square was not granted through Brickdam, it was indicated there would be an increase in the number of petty robberies and other crimes in the evening hours, since persons would have to use other streets which are isolated or unlit. According to him, Lombard Street is one such area which is identified for its many petty robberies, since the area is congested and lined with vendors on Friday nights.
“You see like how now is Friday and they get market, you can’t move through here; cause them people got to sell, so they block up the road. So if more [people] got to use the road, then you can imagine.”
