Regulations needed for use of hinterland roads-- PNCR calls on government to develop road protocol

Regulations needed for use of hinterland roads
-- PNCR calls on government to develop road protocol
Guyana Chronicle, 28 September 2007

THE main opposition party, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) is
calling on the government to urgently involve all stakeholders in the
development of a protocol for the use of hinterland roads in Guyana.

The party suggested that this protocol should be one that is acceptable
to all stake holders.

“We believe that an approach, which is based on inclusiveness and, a
protocol that is reflective of all the interests involved, is the only
option for success,” the PNCR said during a news conference at its
Congress Place, Sophia headquarters yesterday.

The party said it is “resolutely committed” to a development approach
which explicitly recognises that the resources of the hinterland must
be utilised, not only for the general development of Guyana, but that
the socio-economic development of hinterland communities and must
reflect the beneficial effects of growth and prosperity for all
Guyanese.

The PNCR is also advocating that all enterprises operating in the
hinterland “must be treated equally”.

According to the party, the government has procrastinated on the
negotiation of a protocol for the use of hinterland roads.

It is claiming that this has resulted in the present controversy over
the miners using the Barama constructed road in Region 1
(Barima/Waini).

“A team, appointed to undertake the negotiation of a Memorandum of
Understanding on this issue, has failed to complete their task in a
timely manner (and) the entire episode is a manifestation of poor
governance, at two levels,” the PNCR stated.

“First, it is a government dominated team comprising Mr. Robeson Benn,
Mr. James Singh and Mr. Andrew Bishop - it excludes many of the key
stakeholders…and secondly, that the team has failed to complete its
work, in more than two years, is partly responsible for the conflicts
that are occurring in our hinterland.”

The PNCR also claimed that it has always placed the development of the
hinterland high in importance for the development of Guyana.

In this regard, it expressed concern that the present government does
not have transparent policies, and a clearly articulated plan, for the
development of the hinterland.