Road Safety Action Plan sees Gov’t beginning work

The Government of Guyana, through the Public Works Ministry is currently in search of a
consultant to commence design works of a Road Safety Action Plan (RSAP), an initiative that is
part of the Adequate Housing and Urban Transport Programme, funded by the Inter-American
Development Bank (IDB).
The Expressions of Interest stated that the consultant will be responsible for preparing studies in
implementing the programme. The plan will diagnose and analyse the overall situation, identify
key risks, opportunities and entry points for improvements. The studies will also be used to
prepare an action plan of activities and investments to be financed and implemented in order to
reduce the number of fatalities overtime. It was noted that the consultant must have experience in
road traffic safety analysis, particularly relating to engineering, enforcement and investigation;
conducting legal services, reviews and comparative law analysis. It also includes identifying
legislative and institutional deficiencies and recommending appropriate measures for
improvement.
Further, legal drafting experience in Guyana would be a distinct advantage. Additionally, the
consultant must be experienced in Public Law and Governance and the knowledge of
international standards in relation to road safety and traffic management. Additionally, the
consultant will be responsible for communication studies regarding road use practices, with
particular emphasis on analysing current levels of awareness, identifying deficiencies in existing
strategies, and crafting behavioural change strategies and messages for all categories of road
users.
It noted that the estimated implementation period of the consultancy is six months.  The
consultant(s) will be selected in accordance with the quality and cost-based selection (QCBS)
procedures set out in the IDB’s “Policies for the Selection and Contracting of Consultants by the
IDB”. It was stressed that the consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint
venture or a sub-consultancy to enhance their qualifications.
The Public Works Ministry has already embarked on a massive infrastructural upgrade of
Guyana and its roadways. The Sherriff – Mandela Road expansion, one of the many highly-
anticipated road projects in Georgetown, is nearing completion with more than 70 per cent of the
development almost complete. It said that works have already commenced on the Mandela to
Eccles Road which will offset the rapidly-growing traffic congestion on the East Bank Demerara
highway.