A plan of action is underway to address the matter of owners and operators of heavy-duty machinery which have been damaging and blocking traffic on public thoroughfares in various communities across the country.
In this regard earlier this week a delegation from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) with permission from subject Minister, David Patterson, met with Police Commissioner Leslie James, DSS and Traffic Officer, Senior Superintendent, Linden Isles, of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
The representatives from the Public Infrastructure Ministry were: Patrick Thompson, Chief Transport Planning Officer; Kester Hinds, Manager -Traffic/Safety/Maintenance; Andrew Weekes, Public Communications Officer; and Dr. Sewnauth Punalall, Coordinator, National Taskforce Commission.
The Ministry has made several attempts over the years to curb the situation involving operators with heavy duty machinery, but the blatant disregard by many operators to the damage caused to public roads continued.
Commissioner James, in his contribution to the discussion, advised that while the Force can arrest and prosecute those who failed to adhere to Chapter 51:01 of the Road Act of the Laws of Guyana, careful consideration should be taken in addressing the matter.
Moreover, at the recent meeting MoPI and the Force it was agreed that moves will be made to launch a public relations campaign to educate farmers and owners of heavy-duty machinery about the dangers of leaving their equipment on the roadways during the day and nights. It was noted that these have been known to cause a number of injuries and deaths.
Additionally, the campaign will focus on educating those individuals about the damage caused to the roadways when traversed by the equipment. This campaign will take the form of printed and electronic media, Public Service Announcements (PSAs), Social Media etc.
Further it was noted that sensitisation meetings will be held between the Ministry of Agriculture, Guyana Rice Development Board, the Farmers Association of Guyana and the Guyana Rice Producers Association etc. Also town hall meetings will be held in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six.
At the meeting too permission was granted by Commissioner Leslie James for the Ministry to meet with Commanders of the Divisions within the aforementioned regions, to educate them about the dangers to life and limb and the need for their support to discourage farmers and owners of heavy-duty machinery from damaging public roads.
Further, it was agreed that importers of heavy-duty machinery must provide to buyers a toolkit which will allow farmers to attach safety mechanisms (tyres) to the wheels of those machines to prevent damage to public roads.
The awareness campaign timeline will span March 8 to September 9, 2019. Upon the expiration of the timeline farmers who are found culpable will be prosecuted with the full penalty of the law according to Chapter 51:01 of the Road Act of the laws of Guyana. However, this timeline will not overlook farmers and owners of heavy-duty machinery who are found blatantly destroying public roads with their heavy-duty equipment between the periods.
