Georgetown : Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, has assured the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) that the Administration will fully support the Council’s objective to promote road safety in Guyana, through the implementation of its activities and initiatives.
The Minister was at the time speaking at a Stakeholders’ Consultation Meeting on Road Safety, at the Ocean View International Hotel, Liliendaal, where he underscored the importance of the GNRSC’s participation in the reduction of road fatalities.
While lauding the works of the council, Minister Ramjattan said that he was impressed with how they (the council) have dealt with some of the grievances and complaints, and the ideas they have brought, and the passion they have demonstrated for the sector.
Minister Ramjattan noted that the Council has been working, even with very little received from the previous administration. In fact, with just a $3.5 Million subvention, the Council has been conducting many educational activities countrywide, and painting pedestrians crossings among other works.
“As Minister of Public Security, you will be getting the support that is required. I understand that you need a building…I am speaking to the Public Infrastructure Ministry on that score and in relation to the subvention that you would need, we have some problems financially, but we will seek every effort to ensure that that subvention is up, because I have noticed that your presence in this sector has managed to ensure a reduction as compared with the years that you were not there.”
In 2001, the number of fatalities was at 161; in 2003, 173; and in 2005, 182. According to Minister Ramjattan, it was when the Council was established between the period 2006 and 2007, road fatalities went down to 207; in 2008, it dropped to 113 and was kept around that figure until 2014, when it was significantly reduced to 100.
“You can expect from this Administration, that which is to be enforced will be enforced and I will be asking the Council for some advice on a more localised enforcement,” he stressed.
In the context of what is promising in realising the reduction of fatalities by 50%, he told the GNRC members that “I promise to deliver on the request that was made for space, (a research library, a data collection laboratory and a networking capacity), of course it will take some time but for your good w0rk you deserve it.”
In keeping with the government’s 100-day plan to implement a task force on the reduction of crime and road fatalities, Minister Ramjattan said that the GNRSC can play a major role in this regard.
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