Movement formed to protest parking meters

A recently formed body; “the Movement Against Parking Meters” which includes business persons, public servants and other affected citizens in Georgetown is picking up steam as it plans to protest the parking meter project.

According to the body, it is against the project being implemented in the city because of the lack of transparency of the process, the lack of adherence to the Public Procurement process and the lack of consultation.

The body is currently building its support base on social media, facebook before it takes to the streets to protest the project handed to Smart City Solutions (SCS).

Since its implementation, several streets of the city have been empty as persons chose to avoid parking instead of utilizing the meters.

“We, the supporters of the ‘Movement Against Parking Meters’, hereby petition the M&CC and the Government of Guyana to fully disclose and make public the documents related to the imposition of parking meters in Georgetown; the feasibility study, the impact study, all reports, minutes etc from stakeholders’ meetings held prior to the implementation of the parking meters…,” the body said.

Failure to obtain its above demands, the body will be moving to the courts to petition the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and the Government to revoke the contract between the M&CC and SCS and implement a transparent process involving all stakeholders.

Failure to achieve its second plan, the ‘Movement against parking meters’ will support several compromises including reduced parking fees and exemption of certain category of persons.

SCS began the enforcement of the system last week across the city.

At the weekend among vehicles clamped for failure to comply is that being used by former president Donald Ramotar while several others were previously clamped at Water Street.