Too heavy …President says parking meter fees too burdensome
President David Granger
President David Granger

By Ravin Singh

WITH an impending parking fee yet to be finalised by the Georgetown City Council, the proposed $500 per hour fee which was touted initially is too burdensome, President David Granger has said.The President’s contention was expressed during Thursday’s recording of his weekly television show “The Public Interest.” Quizzed on whether he believes the touted fee is too burdensome, the President responded in the affirmative, stating that, “It is a burdensome amount for any person, rich or poor; it is high.”

Asked whether the government will intervene to have this fee readjusted, should it be the approved fee, the President said that this is a decision for the municipalities. He went on to register his concern regarding this impending fee, noting that this was the reason he requested Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan to examine the contract for the project and the conditions under which the agreements were made. The contract for the implementation of the parking meters project was signed between the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and National Parking Systems (NPS)/Smart City Solutions.

City Mayor Patricia Chase-Green had said that the Council is currently reviewing the rate to charge citizens despite the announcement of $500 per hour. Parking meters are to be installed on every street between South Road and Church Street, Water Street and Camp Street.

And while the Mayor is moving full force ahead with the project, Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan has publicly declared that the project is a shady one. He said the mere fact that the City Mayor has refused to reveal the details of the contract to city councillors and make the contract public, suggests that something sinister is taking place.

President Granger also weighed in on the controversy regarding the contract, noting that he is not privy to it, but that Government has asked to see it in an attempt to “protect the national interest” since there have been public outcry.

“Truly enough, the City Council itself as a corporate body has the authority to make decisions; that’s why we had local government elections. I am disappointed that there are members of the councils who feel that they have not been consulted. The purpose of having democratic elections is to have democratically-run councils” the President said. He further noted that as far as the government is concerned, it will insist for there to be greater transparency. “As far as we are concerned, we will insist for there to be greater transparency and we cannot overrule the council but we can ask for transparent procedures to prevail in the city council” he added. The head-of-State is also slated to address the council next week, and according to him, his key message to that council will be to continue the work that they initiated, in terms of urban renewal.

“I recently engaged members of the diaspora in New York and they all told me that they are very pleased with the cleanliness of Georgetown; clearing of canals, removals of solid waste, clearing of Stabroek square and D’Urban Park. These are all aspects of urban renewal and I would urge City Hall next week to continue that” President Granger said. Additionally, he noted that he would also urge the council to minimize slums and squatters’ settlements. He reasoned that together with central Government, the City Council can embark on a programme of housing, which can help indigent families to move out of the blighted areas of the town and go into decent housing.

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