– M&CC to make presentation to ministers soon

THE amended parking meter by-laws are with Cabinet said Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan. The Minister said that he hopes the revised contract will satisfy the Ministry of Finance and the Attorney General’s (AG) Chambers.
Both the finance ministry and the AG’s Chambers had recommended that the by-laws be reviewed prior to the project being suspended in March 2017, just two months after it commenced.

Citizens of the city had also rebelled against the project, citing problems with the by-laws and the contract between City Hall and the company that was hired to install the meters, Smart City Solutions.

After months of consultations and renegotiation the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of Georgetown amended the by-laws and submitted them to Minister Bulkan.
“The issue is now before Cabinet and the M&CC is scheduled to make a presentation to us at the next Cabinet meeting, following which Central Government will make a decision,” said the Minister of Communities.

Although it is yet to be determined if the project will be reintroduced, Bulkan said he welcomes such an initiative that will help to restore order to the “chaotic” city streets.
He intends to support the project only if the contract is one that is not burdensome to the citizens and provides benefits that are equitably shared between the council and the concessionaires.

It was recently reported that the parking meter re-negotiation committee made adjustments to several parts of the controversial parking-meter contract including price, payment for space, sanctions and how profits would be shared.
The Council said that it has received the endorsement of many private citizens and some companies on the implementation of the project. In addition, it was noted that other benefits of the project would be the provision of employment, the reduction of traffic congestion, improved mobility and increased parking space availability. “The City of Georgetown will collect revenue and re-invest it into local communities,” the council said.
The Municipal and District Council Act 28:01 empowers the Municipality to regulate and control parking in the City of Georgetown.