Dear Editor,

I AM rooting for the so-called “controversial” parking meter project, which the media have skillfully painted as corrupt and unethical.I am all for change, and having parking meters in this country would be a huge change that would significantly transform vehicular activity in the city and introduce organisation in that regard.

More than that, some 100 jobs will be created directly, and others will be created indirectly. Based upon the utterances of Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan, that he had no information on the project, persons became concerned. However, I understand the explanations of the Mayor, and my mind was eased further when the “controversial” contract was immediately handed over to the Government for inspection.

I will not dwell on the controversy then, but rather support an initiative that moves this country a step further into the technological age. Parking meters in Georgetown will help in several ways: by relieving congestion, by taking care of all day parking, by introducing vehicular management, and by revenue generation, to name a few.

But more than that, persons will become employed. The employment rate is high within the city, and many of those jobless persons are young and unskilled. Added to the social and financial benefits, parking meters will require operators, technicians, overseers, managers, among others. These are persons who will therefore receive training in the particular areas.

During installation of the meters, workers will be needed to conduct this work, alongside engineers and other technical people. This is a new opportunity for both the city and the council. It is a responsibility of the municipality to ensure the wellbeing of its citizens, and providing employment is a conscious way to do it.

It is understood that the council is eyeing young persons to come on board with the meter project as a means of them acquiring skills in this field.

The council is saying that the parking meter company is taking 100% risk because the council is too broke to execute the project. The council will receive 20% when the company starts making money; they reportedly signed the contract before due diligence was complete because allocations for this and other avenues where written and agreed to in the contract. I could understand this, and I can also understand why other councillors were concerned; but if they are welcome to see the meter contract, just not have their own copy, then this issue should have been over with a long time ago, while the project is speeded up so Guyanese can see the change they voted for at the general and local government elections.

I am looking forward to the parking meters being installed, because I have every intention of applying for a job.
Regards,
ABIOLA HOPE