Dear Editor,

It’s a common saying ignorance is bliss, but is it really? I beg to differ. If rationalized, it’s rather an illusion, a mirage, an escape from reality for the weak and vanquished. Not bliss but submission and defeat. Ignorance deprives a man of being a man, he becomes a dependent simpleton lacking the comprehension to make intelligent decisions. However, when he does it’s minuscule at best fundamentally counterproductive and at worst self-destructive. I have been scrutinising the supposed amendments to the public parking fare structures by Smart City Solutions. It’s not precisely what we wanted but it is commendable, practical and not economically antagonistic. However, I do think its due time we the citizens of Guyana, especially those of Georgetown, embrace responsibility. Responsibility for the environment, our standard of living and fiscal stability. We need to enable our municipality to provide a better quality of life for all.

The time of maturity has come. We have been loafing on our parent’s sofa for too long and blaming them for our downfalls. Rates and taxes amongst other obligations for the city have not been raised considerably in over two decades and have been forgone all together, even though the boundaries and responsibilities of the city have increased tremendously. So, your employer refuses to raise your salary for a consecutive number of years. The plausible consequence of this would be, you most likely struggling to fulfill some of your basic obligations such as the light and grocery bills etc. as they are subject to inflation and will inevitably rise while your salary remains stagnant. Examining the scenario given we comprehend that this is the exact situation in which our city finds itself on a much larger scale. Reviewing some grievances of the MAPM Movement Against Parking Meters common sense is brought into question, or rather is it misinformation, misrepresentation and fabricated truths.

Either way common sense deficiency or misinformation, there is information that needs to be analysed and conveyed accurately and the subject of that analysis would be MAPM’s, Mini- Bus & Taxi Drivers parking permit poster. Looking at the list of changes supposed by SCS on the poster we will start with Taxi, Mini-Bus permit which is $12,000 plus VAT. Communicated so undesirably this is actually a very commendable transition for taxi drivers and bus drivers alike. The supposed amended amount for an allotted time of four to eight hours is $800 with $25 being added beyond that stated time. If you are to do the calculation for eight hours at $800 for five days, it totals $4,000. Multiply that figure by four weeks and that totals $16,000 plus VAT. However, with the permit it would only cost $12,000 plus VAT for the same time period. This is not rocket science but common sense.

Subsequently what is punishment? Punishment is an imposition of an undesirable or unpleasant outcome on a group or individual bringing me to another point, the prices listed in relation to the punitive aspect of the parking meters, they are as follows: To remove clamp $8000 plus VAT, towing $12,000 plus VAT, impound $7,000 plus VAT, Impound fee per day $7,000 plus VAT. With that information, available we ask ourselves what is the purpose of punishment? Well, punishment prevents crime or lawlessness by frightening the public with the example of an individual defendant. Hence, if you are aware that Toni’s vehicle was immobilised and he paid $8,000 plus VAT to remove the immobiliser you would most likely not want to be subjected to the same penalty. Hence you will not double park; you will not park in the bus stops, you will not park on the corners and never again will you block a fire hydrant. Punishment is structured that way to curb the nasty habits of society, and this society in particular needs it. Throughout this entire debacle, I have seen numerous cases of gross disrespect for authority and the rule of law. Have we forgotten how to be civilised? And is trying to restore law and order a problem in this society?

Regards
Lawrence K. F. Alleyne