Dear Editor
THE Justice for All Party, a member of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and by extension a member of the coalition governments in central Government and City Hall, herein records its positions on the controversial parking meter project and the behaviour of the some of the APNU councillors on the City Council.Regarding the parking meter contract, the JFAP, from all the information it has seen via the media and which it has at its disposal, concludes that the contract was entered into without the due consent of Council and that the town clerk had no authority, under Chapter 28:01 Section VII, to sign such a contract. The town clerk derives his powers from affirmative motions tabled at the Council. Having been sworn in on April 1, 2016, the current council never passed any motion, prior to May 13, 2016, giving the town clerk the authority to enter any contract for establishing parking meters. Thus the contract is out of place, “ab initio.”
The JFAP also is of the view that the contract violates Sec. 274 of Chapter 28:01, regarding contracts. Neither has the JFAP seen and know of any waivers signed by the Minister of Communities regarding this contract. The JFAP is also very concerned with the terms of the contract. These terms constitute a complete give away of the city and private persons’ parking rights. If these terms have been amended, as the mayor is claiming, when will these amendments be brought to the Council for debate and decision?
The JFAP also condemns the unwarranted attack on the deputy mayor. The deputy mayor, who is also Chairman of the Legal Committee of the City Council, must be commended for bringing the covert actions of the town clerk and the mayor to light. This contract and the action of some APNU councillors, have clearly brought disrepute to the good name of the APNU+AFC coalition. The JFAP is joining the thousands of voices that are calling for the contract with Smart City Solutions to be investigated with immediate effect.
The JFAP is also calling on the mayor and those APNU councillors who abused the deputy mayor to apologise to the honourable gentleman. The JFAP reaffirms its support for good government, transparency and accountability.
Regards
Justice For All Party