Georgetown as the capital city of Guyana is the place where most persons frequent to do business on a daily basis. Over 4000 vehicles pass through the city of Georgetown where there are approximately 3000 parking spaces.
Before implementation of parking meters in Guyana, illegal acts of parking became solid legal ambitions in the eyes of these drivers; some would double park on major roadways such as Regent Street obstructing the flow of traffic.
On the contrary since the operation and enforcement of parking meters into the city of Georgetown on the 23rd of January, 2017, we have witnessed a significant reduction in the congestion of traffic and illegal parking acts, bringing order to the chaotic heart of this city. It has further reduced noise pollution and enabled drivers to have a safe parking space.
It’s commendable to appreciate that the Mayor and City Council found a way through the parking meter project to reduce illegal parking, carbon emissions and provide citizens with a safer, green city.
Most importantly the parking meter project provides more revenue for the City. The contract signed by the M&CC and Smart City Solutions states that the City will get 20% gross of any monies earned from the project, while the remaining 80% is Smart City Solution’s.
The idea generated by people about this deal was that Smart City Solutions is giving too little back to the M&CC however, as a citizen it is my humble opinion that it is only fair since the company absorbs the overhead and set up costs for this project as well as payment to the employees and taxes of the company out of that 80% before being able to generate a profit.
With that said, one must also submit that it is commendable of Smart City Solutions to be giving back 20% of its gross revenue to M&CC whereby other foreign investors such as Omai only gave 5% of their revenue back to the country when they started operations.
The percentage of revenue gained from this project can be used by the M&CC to improve the infrastructure of the city by building better roads, cleaning drains and trenches, and building of bridges and paves. Finally, providing jobs for young people is a major concern within our society. This project has created over 60 jobs so far for youths and adults alike, enabling them to sustain themselves and also spearhead them to follow their aspirations and further their studies to elevate themselves in society.
I have reached the inescapable conclusion that this project will do a lot of good for this city and the citizens of this country. I urge the fellow citizens to look upon the positives of this project and see the whole lot of good that it would be able to accomplish within this city for everyone.
Regards
Aradhana Singh