Transportation challenges must be addressed in a coordinated manner – Edghill

The transportation challenges plaguing inland travel within countries must be addressed in a coordinated manner. This is according to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, in Switzerland for the 75th Anniversary of the Inland Transport Committee where he will sign the Ministerial Resolution.
In his keynote address to the attendees of the Diamond Jubilee, Edghill spoke about the challenges to inland transportation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to him, a coordinated approach is needed to addressing the global transport challenges faced since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

“I have no doubt that if we deliver a coordinated and sustained response to the global challenges of inland transport like we did in our efforts to combat COVID-19 then at the end of this decade, history will judge us with favourable consideration,” Edghill said.
“In addition to their value and job creation, inland transport systems should be considered partly as enablers of sustainable development. Therefore, integrated approaches to policy making is imperative, including planning for land use, infrastructure development, public transport systems and goods’ delivery networks for the provision of affordable, efficient, safe and secure transport, improving energy efficiency, and at the same time reducing pollution and congestion.”
According to Edghill, there is much to lose if an economically stable transport plan is not in place. He noted that the lack of such a plan transfers higher costs to consumers and increases the cost of living. Edghill provided anecdotal evidence of this.
“I recently heard about a major manufacturer in my country who imports a small but significant component of its propane gas business from Italy. What was explained to this company by its Italian supplier is that the factory has not been receiving the raw materials from their supplier for many months because of challenges brought on by the pandemic. No work at the factory meant none of their long-serving and dedicated workers could be paid.”
“Eventually they decided to repurpose their business to manufacture pandemic-related goods that are currently in market demand. Meanwhile in Guyana, the local manufacturer of propane gas is forced to source more inferior components from a more expensive source, and then pass on the costs to the thousands of households who depend on propane gas to prepare every meal,” he said.
Among the key issues affecting Latin America and the Caribbean, which were highlighted by Edghill, was the rapid expansion of vehicular fleets, especially personal cars. He noted that this expansion has come at a time when road networks are struggling to keep pace with the increased traffic.

“Another evident trend in Latin America is the rising use of diesel fuel by automobiles, primarily because the price of diesel is usually lower than gasoline and because there is an increased usage of sport utility vehicles – many of which are diesel-fuelled,” he said.
“The transport sector, we know, is one of the major contributors of CO2 emissions as well as a major energy consumer. Therefore, in order to assess transport sector sustainability, it is necessary to assess its trends and projections concerning carbon emissions and energy use.”
Edghill also applauded the work done so far by the Inland Transport Committee, which he said has done exceptional work to promote Sustainable Development in Transport. This work, he said, continues.
“And it is precisely why we are here this week to engage in dialogue and exchange ideas, as well as later today, firmly commit through the signing of the Ministerial Resolution to move along the spectrum from words to firm actions,” Edghill also said. (G3)