Latest update October 15th, 2026 10:30 AM
Controversial parking meter project on hold
The Parking Meter project which was slated to commence on September 1 this year, has been put on pause to give elbow room for the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to consider the recommendations put forward by the government.
This was revealed by the Mayor of the City of Georgetown, Patricia Chase-Green during the Council’s Weekly Statutory Meeting held at City Hall on Monday last.
It was reported that during the meeting, Councillors were given packages containing the review and the recommendations put forward by the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams and Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan.
Mayor Chase-Green, stressed that the contract is legal and stated that the Town Clerk will arrange a ‘special’ Council Meeting to review the report and to look at the way forward for the project.
She told the media that there will be no launching on September 1, 2016 – a decision that was agreed upon – because there is some work that needs to be done.
She told another section of the media that talks would consider a recommendation for a reduction of the rate from $500 to $200 per hour and the percentage of gross earnings that the City would be entitled to.
Earlier this year, top officials attached to the M&CC including the Mayor and Town Clerk Royston King, among others, had revealed that a contract existed between the Council and the Company – Smart City Solutions, to provide and erect parking meters in the Capital.
This relationship was heavily criticized by several members of society and groups, as questions were raised about the authenticity of the contract and the true intentions behind the two parties’ agreement.
President David Granger had also publicly stated that while Government has no intentions of dictating Council’s business, he also called on the Municipality to conduct its business in a transparent manner.
Cabinet decided that it would be in the best interest of all to have the document reviewed in the name of transparency and accountability. The contract was subsequently handed over to the AG for scrutiny to determine whether there were any illegalities. After this process, it was found that the Contract was legal, however it was ‘burdensome’ and highly in favour of the concessionaire – Smart City Solutions.
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My…my…good sense seems to be circulating!
The tough teenager M recoiled and gathered herself for sensible action. Hopefully she would use milder language as she extricates herself from the mess she got herself into.
It is still mind boggling at how foolish the officials acted.
Somehow they felt that they could not be challenged by anyone.
Yep!…some kingdoms do fall.
I would still like to see some of the financial statements of that parking company and the jurisdiction where that company is registered.
Faint hope?
Perhaps!