AS the controversial parking meters continue to receive criticism, members of the congregation at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Brickdam, have opposed the planned erection of the machines there.
The official position of the church is to comply with the law; however members of the congregation told this newspaper that a number of events are hosted by the church during the week, besides Sunday when free parking is allowed in the designated areas around the city. The events include funeral services, weddings and baptisms. Some persons related that many would visit the cathedral during the day, including at lunchtime, to pray and they would park on the lawns.

Head of the Roman Catholic Church in Guyana, Bishop Frances Alleyne, told the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday that the official position of the church is that for any decision made for the city, “we are trying to comply as anyone else.”
Bishop Alleyne noted that some persons have approached him and voiced their rejection to the move by the authorities. “They view it as an action that is disrespectful of the church,” he said.

On the Catholic Media Guyana Facebook page, it was noted that while the erection of parking meters in front of schools have been addressed, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council should consider the church as well.
“Please do consider people who want to pray without being preoccupied with how much time they want to pray,” the church entity’s post read.
Recently, the discussions on the issue resulted in relief to teachers as the parking meter company, Smart City Solutions (SCS) and the M&CC agreed to allow free parking to motorists during school hours.

The company said that it continues to allow a grace period of free parking, indefinitely, although paid parking in the city has commenced. On Friday, members of the City Constabulary were out in their numbers policing the streets, looking for vehicles which were parked in the demarcated spots without the drivers paying for those spots. Those vehicles were wheel-booted, but according to the officers, this was just an “exercise” to demonstrate what will happen when the paid parking system is fully introduced.
The introduction of these meters has been met with staunch resistance from drivers, who are refusing to park on the streets. On Tuesday, when it was believed the meters were introduced, streets around Georgetown, where payment is needed for parking, were visibly clear.