$2B set aside to purchase traffic lights this year- Edghill

To ensure traffic is better controlled, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill said a sum of $2 billion has been earmarked to purchase traffic lights this year.

As such, a “massive” roll out of traffic lights is expected wherever necessary.

The traffic lights will not only be limited to the major highways and intersections.

The money, Edghill said, is contained in the 2025 National Budget, in which a sum of $209.3 billion is allocated to the Ministry of Public Works.

“We have budgeted in 2025, $2 billion for the procurement of traffic lights to help with what is happening across the country.

“This $2 billion that I am talking about for traffic lights is not to address programmes that are currently being funded and done this is outside of that to ensure that we have better management,” Edghill said while speaking at an event on Thursday.

The initiative, according to Edghill, is aimed at improving management of traffic on the country’s roadways, an area which has been under “strong” review.

He noted that discussions have begun to develop police guidelines which will be made public once available.

Meanwhile, he said President Dr Irfaan Ali has established a Task Force headed by the Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillip and traffic ranks from various divisions who will soon complete their work.

“People must not be afraid to drive in Guyana,” Edghill said.

When installed, Edghill said drivers who destroy the public infrastructure will faced consequences.

“We have had trucks, cars hitting out traffic lights in the city. Heroes highways we would have to put in some traffic lights to deal with the control at major intersections,” he said.