THE Transparency International Guyana Inc (TIGI) has slammed the parking meters deal between National Parking systems (NPS) and the Mayor and City Council as lacking in transparency and accountability.In a statement TIGI said that local government should empower citizens to determine their own path, but this necessitates a decision-making process that is characterised by transparency, full disclosure of relevant information, and responsiveness to the concerns of those whose lives and livelihoods would be affected. “TIGI is of the view that the handling of the parking meter project by the Georgetown Municipality and its response to relevant queries exhibit a dearth of democratic principles and disdain for citizens that would lead to a feeling of exclusion, and alienation from the decision-making process. These failures serve as strong contradictions to the purpose of local government.”

According to the body, there was no open tendering for the project and accompanying the handpicking of a contractor was the handpicking of counsellors to conduct due diligence in Mexico. “This was perhaps necessary as it was a fool’s errand from the onset against the backdrop of an already signed contract, which positioned it in the interest of the mayor to find the firm suitable or even exceeding the requirements. This alignment of interest inevitably set the Mayor in defence mode; defending the decision, defending the contractor, defending the idea of the project, instead of listening to the people and addressing their concerns. Added to this is the bewildering secrecy surrounding the contract when the contract itself should be with the people of Georgetown.”

According to the TIGI this manner of conducting business is entirely inappropriate as the decisions made will affect the lives of many Guyanese and will affect future generations. “There must be transparency and accountability in the operations of local government and the views of the people must be respected.”

The body said that this project is allowed to continue in its current configuration in spite of a legal basis for enacting a new and transparent process, is a telling blow to transparency, accountability and good governance. “The people of Georgetown, their children, grandchildren and perhaps great-great-grandchildren have been bullied into a deal, the details of which are yet unknown and which from all accounts, has not benefited from an assessment of feasibility or their input. It is the people that bear the burden of poor governance and it is up to them people to be vigilant and to use the democratic provisions to have their voices heard.”

Only last week the government recommended that City Hall engage an accountant regarding the proposed rates and fees stipulated in the contract. The contract, which the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) administration signed with National Parking systems (NPS) in May, is seen as heavily in favour of the concessionaire, according to the government. The APNU+AFC government had mandated the Ministries of Legal Affairs and Finance to review the contract after it was shrouded in much controversy and secrecy. The government had warned that if there is any illegality arising from review of the contract, then the city’s administration would become subject to action by the State’s authorities.

The contract had been kept under lock and key by City Hall for fear of it being copied. On Thursday, Cabinet Secretary Joseph Harmon told a post-cabinet media briefing that two reports were submitted to Cabinet for perusal. One was submitted by the Ministry of Finance and another by the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams. Harmon informed the media that “there was nothing illegal about the contract.” However, he said that a review of the documents indicated that its terms and conditions were burdensome and favoured NPS.

He said the Attorney General has recommended that an accountant be engaged by the council to review the contract’s rates and fees and to offer advice. He said that Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, was informed of the recommendations and according to him, Bulkan stated that he has written to the city council on the matter in that regard.

Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase-Green has said that the project will commence on September 1. The contract’s details had been kept in the dark from members of the council. Reports from the project-implementation team, NPS, said the city administration can expect a sizeable increase in their gross income from the project. The project is expected to generate between $100-200M in the first year of implementation. NPS is slated to administer the project for the next 49 years.