Citizens demand scrapping of deal

Parking meter burden

One day after coalition’s second largest party, the Alliance for Change (AFC) called for the suspension of the widely criticised parking meter project, the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) group has welcomed this move. IMG_0731
However the group is of the view that Central Government should completely revoke the contract, premised on claims of the many burdens the initiative has inflicted upon citizens and more specifically on businesses in the capital city.
Strongly expressing that the group is not politically affiliated, representatives of the Movement Against Parking Meters on Wednesday registered its disdain over what was described as a “scandalous and illegal” arrangement between City Hall and the implementing company, Smart City Solutions (SCS).
“Any group that is in support of what we’re in support of, we welcome that support, of course,” member Christopher Chapwayna stated in response to AFC call for suspension.
Only Tuesday, AFC stated that the project in its present form is not in the best interest of the public, noting that the M&CC should reconsider the main aspects of the Finance Ministry review of the contract.  However, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament (MP) Irfaan Ali told Guyana Times that he called out the AFC over its hypocrisy as it did not support the parking meter motion which was tabled in the National Assembly.
The motion had called for a debate on the transparency of the project, method of procurement involved, terms and conditions of the contract, and the overall lack of consultancy with stakeholders.
Ali, who had tabled the motion, contended that the AFC cannot claim to be an innocent party, nor can it divorce itself from the collective decision by its Government when the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) aligned Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan signed the By-laws for the project to be implemented.
He also noted that notwithstanding the many appeals from the public and the parliamentary Opposition for an urgent intervention, the Government, of which the AFC is a part, never budged in allowing a constructive re-evaluation of the “glaringly biased and detrimental” project.
Meanwhile on Wednesday, at MAPM’s press conference the group also highlighted the slowed business sales as a result of consumers’ avoidance to the expense the meters carry were once again highlighted. Businessman and fellow member of the group Komal Ramlauth called for more accountability.

“What we have is a parking meter arrangement that was illegally done so we cannot support or negotiate with somebody that was illegally put there. In Guyana, all the talk for the last few years has been transparency and accountability – let us have that,” the businessman reasoned.
Structural Engineer Marcel Gaskin reminded that Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase-Green had decided to “withhold the contract from scrutiny” on claims that she indented to “secure the investment”.
The Movement Against Parking Meters group further highlighted that no socio impact studies were done and noted that the country’s procurement regulations were violated.  MAPM member and Attorney-at-Law, Nadia Sagar reiterated that the group is looking into the possibility of taking legal action. When probed, she however cautioned that at present, she is not aware of the requisite legal framework to compel the City Council to fully disclose the contract. Nagar reiterated the Finance Ministry’s extensive objections to the parking meter contract which was reduced from 49 years to 20 years with SCS.
The supporters of the movements while calling on Government to revoke the current contract are also advocating for the implementation of a transparent process involving all stakeholders on introducing paid parking and documents relating to feasibility and impact studies. The group also condemned the company double charging VAT on the cards and are calling on citizens to starve the initiative.
Responding to the wide support they received last week, MAPM will protest City Hall today. Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan had told the National Assembly that the GeoPark cards should not be attracting Value Added Tax (VAT), but retailers have continued to impose the extra charge on motorists purchasing parking time. Jordan had stated that Smart City Solutions must remove any VAT charges on the cards it retailed but the $2500 cards are still $2,900 VAT inclusive.

urden