HOURS after Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Parking Systems, Ifa Kamau Cush, made derogatory statements about anti-parking meter protestors on social media, the parking meters company, Smart City Solutions (SCS) Managing- Director of Business Development, Amir Oren, and Managing- Director of Operations, Simon Moshelle, condemned Cush’s statements.On Thursday, Cush in response to a request for a copy of the parking meters contract, said, “You’re not progressives. You are freeloaders. You lack the intestinal fortitude to control your own destiny. You all possess the mentality of slaves, indentured servants, incapable of generating wealth and building capacity.”
Cush was at the forefront of the controversial parking meters, but was subsequently placed on the back burner late last year, when a Mexican company took control of SCS.
However, SCS distanced itself from the statement, saying it condemned the statement “in the strongest possible terms” and described it as an “obscene and despicable statement issued by Mr Ifa Kamau Cush.”
“This statement was issued without knowledge and authority of Smart City Solutions. Mr Cush neither speaks for nor represents Smart City Solutions,” the statement issued by SCS on Friday afternoon said.
Since the implementation of parking meters at several locations in central Georgetown, citizens and businesses have objected to its implementation, the charge and what they deem to be a shady agreement between the Georgetown City Council and SCS.
But notwithstanding the protests, SCS said it recognises fully the democratic right of all persons and organisations to express their views, disagreement as well as protests. “Smart City Solutions is entirely permitted [sic] to freedom of speech and assembly. Smart City Solutions wishes to disassociate itself completely with this disgraceful statement issued by Mr Cush,” the statement added.