Guyana Electrical Consultants & Associates

 

Public Works Minister Anthony Xavier says he is aware of the problem with malfunctioning traffic lights and is asking members of the public to be patient while arrangements are made for new ones.

Speaking to the Government Information Agency (GINA), Xavier said that under the Road Safety Programme traffic lights have been identified for strategic locations. He said the funding agency, the Inter-American Development Bank, has told his ministry that it is worried about the cost of electricity for these installations.

“Therefore, we are now looking at an alternative method, one that is cost effective and at the same time efficient”, Xavier told GINA. In the interim he urged drivers to be patient and to exercise caution at crossings.

Meanwhile, efforts by the police traffic department to repair some of the lights have been set back by vandals.

Citing several missing components at traffic signals at some city downtown intersections, Traffic Chief Michael Harlequin told Stabroek News that these were removed by persons unknown to the police.

Recently this newspaper had noted the absence of components from several traffic light poles along Camp Street at the intersections with Regent Street, and Robb Street, and North Road.

Harlequin said persons had taken bulbs, screens and other components off the signals. However, he said efforts to effect repairs to the signals are continuing despite the lack of resources of the police and the age of the lights.

The traffic chief noted that the traffic lights need to be replaced since it has become difficult to maintain them because of their age and problems associated with their functioning.

For several weeks now the traffic lights at key junctions along Camp Street have not been working.

The Public Works Ministry is responsible for acquiring new lights but once these are installed the police take over responsibility for maintenance, repairs etc.