Parking meter consultations…Bulkan tells M&CC they can quash original parking meter contract

May 05, 2017 News

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The Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, has expressed Government’s position that the Georgetown Mayor and City Council is free to negotiate a new contract concerning paid parking or make changes to the already

existing contract.
Bulkan made this clear to members of the sub-committee yesterday at the M&CC Chambers. He was invited by the committee to provide clarity on what is government’s position on the issue. According to Bulkan the committee is expected to proceed with its consultations as though a contract never existed.
He explained that with this approach, the committee does not have to return to the already existing contract but is free to negotiate a new contract with a different company. Bulkan said that Government has recognised the need for a solution to address traffic congestion in the City. He also said that government recognised the need for the M&CC to raise revenue and as such can implement a system that takes both points into consideration.
The Minister acknowledged the absence of those who would have negotiated the original contract in the sub-committee. He said that this signals the council’s willingness to adopt a fresh approach in moving forward with the project.
At this juncture, both the Mayor Patricia Chase-Green and Town Clerk Royston King excused themselves from the meeting.
He added that he is also pleased that the composition of the new team comprises a much wider make-up more so that it is chaired by a councillor from the minority. The Chairman of the committee is Councillor, Malcolm Ferreira, a member of Team Legacy.
Bulkan explained to the team that Cabinet had deliberated on the parking meter project for quite some time and this was in view of the fact that there was significant vocal resistance and objections to the initiative.
“It was felt that the benefits that will accrue as a result of this project will disproportionately favour the concessionaire or the contractor.”
He added that following the suspension of the by-laws disallowing the project to move forward, he had conveyed the decision to the Mayor and simultaneously conveyed the concerns of Cabinet via a letter.
“In my correspondence to the Mayor, I pointed out that the tariffs were considered to be too onerous to users especially for all day parking, with the penalties for non-compliance considered to be too high.
“There was the issue of the initiative encompassing gazetted public roads which could not be possible. There were concerns about certain areas around schools and hospitals.”
The Minister said that he also took the opportunity to point out that the reviews done by the Ministry of Finance and the Attorney-General’s Chambers were submitted to council, and it was felt that the recommendations from those two reviews were not adequately addressed.
He said that now is the time to correct that situation. Moreover, the Minister explained that one of the major concerns was that the initial contract did not have a sufficient ‘buy-in’ from the majority of councillors.
The Minister added that there was not enough transparency and discussion prior to the conclusion of the original contract.
“I think that is the central defect of efficiency, because it is essential that there is full internal democracy and that whatever contract emanates in relation to any initiative or activity, that there is full confidence at the level of the council and that all, not only a majority, but all can take pride and ownership in that initiative.”
He said that it is that defect which allowed a lot of the bad publicity to be generated. Bulkan urged that in going forward the council should not consider itself to be bound exclusively to the contract with the original concessionaire, Smart City Solutions.
“I don’t think that anywhere in the discussions to date, that that has been laid down, that renegotiation or a new contract can only be as a result with the original party. From where I sit or stand I believe the council has a free hand to look at this thing from new levels.
“At the end of the day it can make a determination that if it is desirous of proceeding with an initiative such as this the majority of the council have to be convinced that whatever contract, is one that you are convinced will bring maximum benefits.”
He reminded the council that it is currently cash strapped and does not have financial resources. Bulkan said that central government is not in the position to foot the bills. He acknowledged that the council is empowered by legislation to be able to institute revenue earning measures, inclusive of parking meters.
Bulkan said once there is a formal agreement on whatever solution emanates from the consultation process; the council will receive Government’s support. He said that this should be a paramount objective of the negotiating team. He was asked whether Government would be willing to give an extension for the committee to conduct proper consultations since one month has gone without work being done.
To this, Bulkan said that he would be willing to extend the suspension to ensure that proper work is done. As it relates to the legal implications which may arise from the council quashing the contract with SCS, Bulkan said that the council can seek the assistance of the Attorney-General’s chambers, noting that the AG is a former city councillor and as such would be more inclined to help.
The seven-member Committee was elected by the M&CC to begin consultations and negotiations with the relevant stakeholders to arrive at a favourable position on the parking meter issue for all Guyanese.
Councillor Noelle Chow-Chee was elected Vice-Chairwoman. The other members of the committee are Councillors Carlyle Goring, Tricia Richards, Ivelaw Henry, Roopnarine Persaud and Heston Bostwick.

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