The Story within the Story…The parking meter fiasco

Feb 05, 2017 Features / Columnists, News

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By Leonard Gildarie
Over the last few months, one particular issue has galvanized the country to such an extent that it

appeared, for once, there was unanimity on something.
On Friday last, I asked two of my colleagues at work to accompany me to see what was happening outside City Hall. One of our reporters was on the scene but I was still curious.
Hundreds had gathered to protest the implementation of the parking meters.
The reasons for insisting on my colleagues’ presence were two-fold. The parking meter issue was one that has focused attention on the hurdles that will characterize this year, judging from the expressed concerns. I also wanted my colleagues to experience what it was like when some of Guyana’s powerhouses held hands on subjects they are passionate about. A part of history was being created.
We have been known as people who are pretty laid back and not taking the front lines when it comes to demanding better from our administration. We have even been branded by one of our former leaders as being a country that is a ‘seven-day wonder’…people forget things after a week, and it all dies away.
The parking meter issue has divided this country. It is a topic on everyone’s lips. Many believe that someone took a bribe. Don’t ask me. Ask the man on the street.
The issue does not involve Georgetown alone.
Georgetown is the capital city and it is heart of Guyana, where government sits and from where the country – all 83,000 square miles of it – is run.
We are facing some tough times, made worse by stifling world prices and economic decline in especially major nations, including our neighbour, Brazil.
As I looked at faces of some of who were against the parking meters, I could not help thinking that this issue will just not go away in a hurry. Some of the individuals, whom I am familiar with, have never been this vocal. One could not help but feel that more of these protests will become a reality.
Several businesses have complained about reduced foot traffic and a drop in sales along Regent and Robb Streets.
I see City Hall, via an advertisement in Kaieteur News yesterday, asking for evidence from the businesses to prove this.
This particular issue went back to last year when City Council, as the manager of Georgetown, announced that it was engaged in moves to roll out parking meters in the capital. There had been proposals for years prior.
Following Local Government Elections last year, a new mayor and her team hit the road running. Things could not remain the same in the city after years under the previous council led by Hamilton Green. Money had to be found to run the city. There should be less dependence on Central Government for bailouts.
A controversial trip was made to Mexico to examine meters. A contract was signed, the city forged ahead with plans and the company started implementation.
The issue brought several factors into play.
Under new local government laws, there are a lot of powers in the hands of municipalities and the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils. I have written about this before and will say it again…not many of them are aware of the enhanced powers they have to raise revenues or enforce by-laws.
We see many councils and NDCs operating under the same dispensation.
Georgetown is not a far-flung area which can just be treated through the jaundiced eye glass of dollars and cents. We cannot compare to developed states where order has taken decades. It goes hand in hand with enforcement and quality of life of people. We cannot just start driving a Mercedes if we can’t afford a Toyota, seems to be the argument.
City Hall is convinced that it has the powers to implement such a project. The administration seemed to have concurred – a review green-lighted it. The by-laws were signed off by Minister of Community, Ronald Bulkan.
It appears that the implementation of parking meters was heavily scrutinized. From teachers to schools and even the Brickdam cathedral, it seemed no one was spared.
City Hall appears ready for the long haul. It is rejecting moves by the Private Sector Commission and other business bodies to scrap the project, which places a number of burdens on the city if that scenario ever happens. A number of fines contained in the by-laws seemed never to have made it to public domain until it was okayed by Central Government.
Those by-laws were only given to the minister about two days before it was signed. It was a voluminous document, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said. There are a number of penalties in the by-laws that were not studied by stakeholders during consultations, I am told. Thousands of dollars to retrieve your vehicle after it has been towed.
Not everyone is unhappy with the parking meters. I did not drive to City Hall on Friday. We took a taxi. We caught another going back to Kaieteur News and the driver had no problem with the parking meter. He likes the ease of now driving near Stabroek Market and the main thoroughfares. So yes, there are some plus sides.
There are other sides too. City Hall’s justification of the parking meters would be that it needs to raise revenues. City Hall has hundreds of millions of dollars owed from rates and taxes. City Hall is doing poorly with collection. The school of thought would be if you want to start raising money, start there.
City Hall and the parking meter company reportedly have been spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for full page ads to counter the voices that were raised.
Government has said that it will keep a close eye on the situation. While City Hall has independence, the fact remains that Government is responsible for the greater good of this country.
I am no lawyer, but there are solutions that can be reached. It is time to step in. The city, from what is being said, is almost at a standstill. Make no bones about it. The complaints are coming fast and steady.
The fact remains City Hall in its wisdom has signed a worrying contact with the parking meter company that ties the city down and makes it liable if the project is scrapped.
We need to address this issue now. There can be no burying of heads in the sand and wishing that the matter will go away.

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