Speed limit, or measures for truck drivers

Trucks carry materials through several East Coast Demerara (ECD) communities for public infrastructure projects will be required to comply with several new measures, said Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.

He made the announcement during his weekly press conference at Freedom House today.

Dr. Jagdeo explained that during a recent visit to several communities on the ECD, he was met with complaints regarding the manner in which trucks are driving through the villages.

To address this, new speed limits will be introduced within the streets. He said the government will be working with the Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force to install signs indicating the new limits soon.

Additionally, drivers are mandated to ensure that the tailgates of all trucks are closed while in operation.
Furthermore, all cargo carried inside trucks must be covered, and the roads should be dampened or wetted to prevent dust pollution from affecting residents.
Dr. Jagdeo also revealed that some residents requested speed bumps in their communities, while others are against it. This, he explained, is being deliberated upon by authorities.

The increased volume of trucks travelling through these communities is linked to large-scale development works that include new infrastructure for housing and power distribution projects.

The Vice President explained that there are “about 18,700 house lots” that were allocated along the East Coast Demerara stretch; however, for “about 15,900 of those lots, there is still a need for major infrastructural works to support living conditions and residency.”

“You can imagine the amount of sand, loam and materials that has to go through the established East Coast villages to get to these projects, and this is creating problems for some established villages…We can’t stop the development work, but at least we can alleviate some of the concerns of the residents,” he said.