Govt. had chance to stop parking meters with by-laws

Govt. had chance to stop parking meters with by-laws – PPP MP

Jan 27, 2017 News

It is the firm position of People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Parliamentarian Irfaan Ali, that the

PPP MP, Irfaan Ali

parking meter project could have been stopped in its tracks at the point where the by-laws were given credence by Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan.
Ali, speaking with Kaieteur News yesterday, said that the coalition administration had touted on several occasions that the executive arm of government, cannot interfere in the affairs of the local democratic organs, since there is autonomy.
However, according to Ali, Bulkan’s action defies that argument. Ali said that since the project could have only officially come on stream after Bulkan signed the by-laws, the government therefore had a chance to intervene.
“An order to charge the people for parking and to bring the parking meter into operation could not have been made without Bulkan’s signature. Bulkan himself said that he has to sign the by-laws to bring the parking meter into operation, so the government had an opportunity to stop it!”
He said further that the government should have used the opportunity to stop the project, which by all indications lacked transparency, did not go through a procurement process, and no consultation was conducted with stakeholders.
“The government cannot escape itself now. The government now has endorsed the parking meter project, as it has been brought into operation by an act of government.”
The by-laws were necessary to enforce general and specific measures to ensure the integrity of the Parking Meter project which has been fully introduced in the City of Georgetown.
This is catered for under Section 304 of the Municipal and District Councils Act Chapter 28:01. Section 1(a) of the Act empowers the council to make by-laws to regulate any activity which the council is allowed to undertake which include regulating and prescribing fees, permits, licences and charges.
Minister Bulkan finally signed the by-laws on Monday after receiving them on Friday last. He told this publication that the by-laws for the parking meters had already been examined by the Attorney-General’s office. Minister Bulkan also said that in relation to the parking meters erected in front of public buildings and schools, negotiations and discussions should be conducted with the City Council.
The parking meter project continues to be criticised heavily by those who stand to be affected. The lack of consultation before rolling out the project has caused the company, Smart City Solutions, to now have to meet with stakeholders to discuss in what ways the project can be implemented to suit residents, businesses and public servants.
Recently, the company had met with Guyana Teachers’ Union and the National Commission on Disability to discuss concerns which were raised by the two bodies. The company had said that it intends to arrive at a solution that will be beneficiary to everyone.
However, following that meeting, representatives of the GTU took to the streets holding candlelight vigils on Main Street, Georgetown, expressing their reluctance to “having to pay to go to work. The Union expressed hope that following discussions with the company, teachers would not be required to pay for parking.

Picture saved in Friday as: Ali
Caption: PPP MP, Irfaan Ali

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