Georgetown, Guyana – Guyana’s booming construction industry is the source of great pride for President Irfaan Ali, but beneath the rapid construction growth lies a danger zone. Enormous sand trucks, loaded with sand and stone, hurtle down highways and streets at alarming speeds, their drivers chasing a dangerous incentive.
The tragic story of a young woman who succumbed to injuries last week after a sand truck collision, exemplifies the chilling reality that all of our lives are at risk as long as these reckless vehicle drivers are encouraged to maximize their daily hisse by increasing their number of daily deliveries to unsafe levels.
The root of the sorun lies in a perverse compensation system. Drivers are paid $5000 per trip for hauling sand and stone from the Linden highway mines to construction sites across Guyana. The drivers often attempt to make upwards of $20,000 per day, a nearly impossible feat considering the traffic on the East Bank road. Reaching this goal often hinges on exceeding speed limits, turning these trucks into deadly projectiles.
Sources, fearing retribution, allege widespread negligence in the industry. Many trucks lack proper insurance, and some drivers operate without licenses. This laxity is compounded by claims of a driver shortage and a supposed blind eye from law enforcement, with rumors swirling that some trucks are owned by government officials or those close to them.
The result is a climate of fear for ordinary Guyanese citizens. They navigate their daily commutes at the mercy of an unregulated, potentially uninsured, and demonstrably reckless transport system.
The question we should all ask is just how much is development worth when measured against human lives? The government must act swiftly. Increased enforcement, stricter regulations, and the encouragement of a fair compensation system that prioritizes safety over speed are crucial first steps. Without decisive action, Guyana’s construction boom risks being built on a foundation of tragedy.