“Sorry”: Govt takes blame for ECD arch traffic chaos

After its installation caused huge inconveniences to commuters, the arch demarcating the eastern entrance into Georgetown has been commissioned at Cummings Lodge sea wall, East Coast Highway. However, Government on Saturday accepted full responsibility for the chaos caused to thousands of citizens.
Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, on Saturday at the commissioning said Government is taking blame for the chaos and apologised for the inconvenience caused.

Commuters traversing the highway in the vicinity of the University of Guyana had complained of the traffic congestion on Thursday and Friday. Traffic was being diverted in order to facilitate works on the arch.
At the same time, however, traffic on the railway embankment is presently curtailed by repairs on the Liliendaal Bridge. This meant that there was no escape for many of the commuters trapped in the long lines.
According to Minister Patterson, as the subject Minister, he would accept responsibility for the mistakes made. “I’m a somewhat tech savvy person and I’ve read and seen the grumblings on social media. Persons complained about the traffic disruption on Thursday. And I would say publicly, being the subject Minister, I accept full responsibility for the traffic disruption. As the subject Minister, I would have okayed the plans.”
Patterson also sought to defend the project against questions and criticisms about its practicality. The arch costs some $19 million and was sponsored by ANSA McAL Trading Limited, a Trinidad company. The company was also recently awarded a $605 million pharmaceutical contract from Government.
President David Granger was also at the commissioning ceremony but was quickly whisked away as the media following the official ceremony to have questions answered about the partnership between the Trinidadian company and Government.
ANSA McAL was under public scrutiny recently as a result of attempts by the Public Health Ministry to solesource some $605 million worth in pharmaceuticals from the company. According to Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, the decision to fast track the drugs was made because of “emergency drug” shortages in the system.
In her statement to the media, Lawrence also said that the company donated four refrigerators to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).
The installation of the arch had commenced on Thursday with little notice being given to the public, which caused great inconvenience to many.
Commuters traversing along the East Coast Demerara carriageway, more specifically in the vicinity of the University of Guyana (UG) Access Road, complained on Friday as traffic congestion continued at the arch.
Traffic was again backed up for a considerable period as workers on the project worked to have the Arch completed. The chaos lasted from 08:00h on Friday until the bottleneck eased to facilitate works on the structure.
When Guyana Times visited the area on Friday, commuters for a second day were outraged and screams could be heard emanating from vehicles as insults were being hurled at the workers for causing the build-up of traffic.