Ministry of Communities ‘Smart Stop’ project goes to Linden
DPI, Guyana, Friday, April 12, 2019
A $2M Smart Stop project will soon be taking the town of Linden by storm, paving the way for similar projects in the other eight municipalities.
The Smart Stop project, a pilot of the Ministry of Communities’ Community Infrastructure Improvement Programme (CIIP) and will feature solar lighting, USB charging ports, free WiFi, advertisement and information spaces, protective guard rails and garbage receptacles.
The Smart Stop project, which will also be fully powered by solar energy, will convert the country’s current bus stops into safe, pleasant waiting areas with improved interactive information services and a sanitary dispensary among others.
Coordinator of Engineering Services at the Ministry of Communities’ Community Infrastructure Improvement Programme (CIIP), Naeem Khan said the ‘Smart Stop’ is not a regular bus stop. Among the objectives of the initiative is to assist persons who might have run out of internet data to get on with their business.
“They can stop there, send their messages using the free WIFI and then roll along. If your phone is almost out of life, you can have it recharged there.”
He said once the reception is good in the mining town, the project could be rolled out by any ministry, NDC or municipality
A feature of the Smart Stop will see an information slot which will inform tourists and community members of the location of important places. “Things like hospitals, schools, health centres and the location of the municipality office and street among others,” Khan explained.
Following the Linden project, Smart Stops will be installed in the Municipalities of Anna Regina, Corriverton, Bartica, Georgetown, Rose Hall, Lethem, New Amsterdam and Mabaruma.
Alexis Rodney.
Image: Giovanni Gajie.