A most politically unwise proposal

Jun 20, 2018 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
Again, we witness the horrible green monster (the scandalous parking meter shackle) rearing its hideous head in Georgetown. And again, the controversial Town Clerk is leading the charge as the champion, chief advocate and major advocate for this atrocity.
Apparently, this purportedly revised but nonetheless illegal parking meter contract is back with Cabinet, which has decided to refer the document to a sub-committee, amid ongoing concerns by several sections of Georgetown.
One can only hope that this Cabinet sub-committee, which is reportedly made up of the ministries of communities, finance, legal affairs, public infrastructure and business should from the very outset demand to be provided with the minutes of the meeting of the previous Council that supposedly approved the contract between the Council and the parking meter company.
Of course, it is well known that no such approval was ever granted, but rather just a falsehood that has been bandied around by some deceitful administrators at City Hall. This makes from the very beginning the signing of the contract illegal, which no amount of revisions could change and make lawful.
The second very important issue that the cabinet sub-committee should look at is the fact that the awarding of this contract violates all public procurement procedures that are in existence, to ensure that the procurement of goods, services and execution of works in Guyana are conducted in a fair, equitable, transparent, competitive, and cost effective manner, according to the laws of Guyana and such policy guidelines.
But third, and just as important that the cabinet sub-committee should pay keen attention to, is the severe negative effects its reintroduction will have businesses and on people working in the city. The reduction in business activity in the commercial hubs was clearly demonstrated the first time it was introduced, and this time will be no different.
The comparison being made by the Council of Georgetown with other cities internationally to implement parking meters is just simply foolish as in some of those countries referred to, the people who can’t afford to drive to work are provided with underground transportation. There is no such option in Georgetown but instead a chaotic mini bus alternative. It is a most politically unwise proposal.
Sincerely,
Roseanne Rodgers

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