AN independent transportation consultant has been chosen to spearhead the revision of the Road Traffic Act.
Canadian Neville Weeks will lead the revision with a view to modernising the country’s transportation system.
During a forum last Thursday, stakeholders assembled at the Paul Farqhuarson Centre where plans were outlined, and suggestions given as to the way forward.
Peter Deveaux-Isaacs, Under Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, stressed the importance of the New Providence Transport Programme (NPTP), which is being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank.
The Bahamas Government continues to receive support from the IDB for the NPTP, which aims to improve the public road system and ease the flow of goods and services by solving traffic problems.
“More efficient traffic flows will reduce the harm caused to the environment by congestion, increase productivity and improve the attractiveness of our island,” Mr Deveaux-Isaacs said.
The NPTP made provision for a review of the Road Traffic Act - which has had very few changes since 1958.
Mr Weeks is a registered professional civil engineer and transportation and project management specialist with more than 35 years’ experience on transport projects for both private and public sector organisations in more than 25 different countries. He has worked in the Caribbean, Canada, Africa, Asia, the UK, Europe and the Middle East for government clients and for international funding agencies, including the IDB, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, European Commission, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the British and Canadian International Development Agencies.
He is also registered as a specialist transportation consultant with the Caribbean Development Bank. He has been engaged by the Ministry of Works and Urban Development and the Ministry of Transport and Aviation/Road Traffic Division with a comprehensive review of the Road Traffic Act for The Bahamas, under the Inter-American Development Bank loan for the New Providence Transportation Programme.
“We at the Ministry of Transport and Aviation are excited about this modernisation exercise, and that great emphasis is to be placed on the transfer of knowledge, experience and technology,” Mr Deveaux-Isaacs said.
Mr Weeks will be assisted by the staff of the Transport Policy and Planning Unit of the Road Traffic Department.
Comments
generalcrazy 10 years ago
Ofcourse they are going to hire a foreigner, the PLP and FNM say you dumb slaves are too stupid to do anything besides shine their shoes. What's funny is the PLP and FNM are so stupid they outsource everything to foreign, they can't figure out a damn thing on their own - they are all IDIOTS and so are you for voting for them.
newcitizen 10 years ago
Who are they going to hire from here? Besides the fact that this is being paid for by the IDB. Name one leading expert in transportation design in the Bahamas. Looking at our current roads and design clearly shows that outside help would be appreciated on the subject.
Now you are totally correct about the politicians, the FNM and PLP can't figure a damn thing out. It would probably benefit us a great deal to outsource them.
Cornel 10 years ago
Here is what should be done with the traffic. We should change over and drive on the right side of the road.
In order to enable this change over we will do it in a three step process, as follows
1- Day One - Trucks start driving on the right hand side
2- Day Two - Cars start driving on the right hand side
3- Day Three - Motorcycles start driving on the right hand side
By doing this in a systematic approach, it can not fail.
BahamianAway 10 years ago
Clearly the Bahamas needs assistance with road traffic issues, however in light of the current new road situation I think a Canadian consultant is a big fail. Was it not Canadians that facilitated the construction of our new roads now? And look how lovely that went...Baillou Road is a complete mess, East Street South coming from Robinson Road is a complete mess, Prince Charles another mess...all they did was waste good road space. A bunch of narrow behind lanes, wide medians and sidewalks that no one uses. They could have done so much more with the space they had...instead they blocked off certain roads, made them one way, and then narrowed the lane so traffic at around 5 is like being in a sardine can. Meanwhile a different company facilitated the roads out Cable Beach and it's a big difference.
SMH!!! Just a waste of money...
sheeprunner12 10 years ago
Hey General, get your crazy ass out there and start directing dem traffiks so we dont have no more jams on Hubiggitty roads!!!!!!!!!!!
You should take a few of dem Bay Street politicians wit u!!!!!!!!!!!
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