DESCRIBING the implementation of the parking meter project as a “catastrophe,” The Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) has called for the revocation of this project, citing lack of transparency and consultations.At a press conference on Wednesday at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Waterloo Street, Attorney-at-law Nadia Sagar said that while the MAPM would not be taking any legal action against the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and Smart City Solutions (SCS), she reassured that legal action will definitely be taken.
“Legal action is going to be taken. Things don’t happen overnight,” Sagar said, while adding, “There are several entities pursing action through different attorneys.”
When asked why only now action is being taken against the project, Sagar contended that since there has been no public disclosure of the contract between M&CC and SCS, the group was unable to make total pronouncements.
She questioned, “How can we pronounce on something we have not seen?” but added that the group intends to approach the Commissioner of Information to see if a copy of this contract can be obtained.
The group of supporters present expressed dissatisfaction with the M&CC and highlighted that there was an outright lack of transparency throughout the entire process, including the ambiguous bidding and tendering process prior to implementing the meters. This was coupled with the lack of consultations with stakeholders and a lack of feasibility studies.
Due to the lack of these fundamental aspects, the supporters expressed that the movement will remain insatiable unless the entire project is revoked, regardless of any adjustments made to the project, including lowering of the rates.
According to MAPM member, Christopher Chapwanya, the actions that have been taken by the M&CC are reflective of a “shady and sinister” project.
Member of the private sector and supporter of the movement, Komal Ramnauth , explained too that the implementation of the parking meters with the exorbitant rates, has resulted in a domino effect where commercial activity around the affected areas in the capital has decreased due to persons seeking to avoid paying to park.
This results in a loss of commercial activity which incurs losses to businesses who are still paying taxes as per normal, which will eventually lead to a loss of employment.
Another supporter of the movement, Andrew McBean, asserted, “We are not opposed to the idea of paid parking. We are all in agreement with a sustainable city… a sustainable country.”
The Guyana Chronicle recently reported that with the parking meter system, drivers could lose big monthly in a number of ways. In addition to the rates charged being higher than those recorded in New York City, (a city in a first world country), drivers also are paying VAT on the parking meter cards when they should not be and there is always a remaining balance which is non-transferrable.
Members of the MAPM highlighted too that this is a “people’s movement” unaffiliated with any political, religious or racial groups. These supporters highlighted that the MAPM will be protesting these parking meters outside City Hall at 12:00 hrs Thursday.