MAPM is about to be split down the middle

Feb 11, 2017 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

Politics in Guyana can confound you. The bizarreness of certain political actions can throw you off guard, unless you are prepared to understand the deeper ramifications involved.
There are reports circulating that the punitive measures employed against persons who are in breach of the parking meter system in Georgetown are to be put on hold until consultations are held between City Hall and stakeholders.
The decision at first blush may seem dumb. If persons are not going to be fined or their vehicles clamped for not paying the parking meters fees, then what is to prevent drivers from simply parking in the areas allocated for parking meters and not paying the parking fees.
Even if they have a parking meter card, why would they want to use it when there is no penalty involved?
The temporary withdrawal of fines and penalties will create a disincentive for persons to pay the parking meter fees. Persons will park and not pay. No revenue will be collected. So what sense does it make to implement such a measure?
Well, there is always a method to what may seem to be madness. There is logic and a reason to what is being proposed.
First, removing the penalties and fines until consultations are held is a public relations gimmick instigated by the government. It is an attempt to show that the government cares and has listened to the concerns of the public and is pressuring City Hall to take some action.
The question, however, is why did the government not act from day one when the contract was signed not just behind the backs of citizens but behind the backs of the Council itself? The councillors were presented with a fait accompli but still voted in favour of the parking meter deal.
The government could have always acted. It however underestimated the determination of this new generation to act and not to allow for an oppressive rein of power.
Second, the proposed measure will have the effect of breaking the boycott of the parking meters. One of the symbols of the public’s opposition to the parking meter has been the scenes of empty parking spaces in the city. This has galvanized the supporters of the boycott of parking meters.
By offering this temporary respite from parking fines and penalties, the authorities will be gaining a massive psychological victory over those promoting the boycott of what they call the “green monsters.”
A psychological victory will force divisions with the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) in the city.
This is why the MAPM must be careful about entering into useless dialogue with City Hall. City Hall cannot do anything without the approval of the parking meter company. The company may be inclined to reduce rates and entertaining dialogue on this front can actually split MAPM down the middle since the movement consists of those who want the deal scrapped and those who want affordable rates.
The movement has elements who are asking for consultations and those who are advocating “starving the green monsters”.
The proposed gesture to suspend fines is a political masterstroke. It will lead to a short term loss for the parking meter company but it will generate long-term returns. The suspension of the punitive measures will split the MAPM down the middle.
MAPM is ripe for division. It is a loose and scrappy movement. It has tried to be independent of political parties. But that has its downside because the political parties would have understood the politic tactics that are being employed at present. MAPM will split down the middle so long as it enters consultations with City Hall at this stage.
The boycott is working. It should press home the advantage.

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