Central Government should intervene to mediate – Hinds

Parking meter project…

BY ALEXIS RODNEY

With no clear solution seemingly on the horizon for the predicament the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has found itself in regarding the controversial parking meter project, political commentator, Dr David Hinds has suggested that it could be a wise move if Central Government steps in but only to mediate.
Since the announcement of its plans to introduce parking meters in the city, there has been widespread division within the new Council, which was elected just about three months ago. Councillors stand divided, many branding the project as one blanketed in secrecy.
While there has been some intervention by Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan, and more recently a call for greater transparency by President David Granger, there is nothing much central government can do since the Council is led by the local government system.
Hinds, speaking to Guyana Times recently said, while he agrees that central government should not be involved in local government decision, he believes in the instance of the parking meter fiasco, central government should intervene to mediate the situation.
“Clearly there are two views on the Council; one led by Sherod Duncan and then the Mayor and others. The parking meter issue is of national importance and central government should intervene, not to direct, but to mediate”, the political commentator told this publication.

Political commentator, Dr David Hinds
Political commentator, Dr David Hinds

He continued “I do believe that Government should keep out, but there are times when you have crises like this, central government should use its influence to try to mediate the situation. I think it is of national importance”.
Meanwhile, Hinds said the controversy raises two fundamental concerns. One has to do with transparency, which he said resounds as a problem in Guyana’s politics for a very long time, while the other speaks to consultancy.
“If you have had Local Government Elections and you are talking about turning a new page, then you have to operate in a way that is different from the past and one of the problems we have had with local government on the past is the lack of transparency. So I think on the issue of transparency, the City Council, the mayor and those who support her, need to be more cognisant of that need”, he said.
According to Hinds, there is also need for consultancy. “If you are building parking meters, it’s the first time you are going to do that in this country. It is a fundamental issue. I think the first thing you should have done was have consultation with the people. That’s the first thing. Then having had consultation, at the level of the Council, arrive at consensus”.
He said important matters like these should be left to the majority. Hinds remarked that “there must be consensus, so that you consult with the people, let them know the upsides and down sides, hear from them what they feel and then you sit down as a caucus of the Council and decide on some form of consensus.” He also noted that the lack of consultation has obviously led to the lack of transparency; an issue inimical to democracy.
Meanwhile, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) in a statement on the issue said it notes with much concern the ongoing controversy surrounding the contract for the proposed parking meters in Georgetown. The entire issue reflects negatively on the newly elected City Council which had promised a clean break with the old ways of operation.
“There seems to have been very little if any meaningful consultation which then leads to a lack of transparency. [The] WPA is alarmed that a project of such magnitude was not first discussed with the citizens of the city who would, in the long-run, be affected by its implementation. The habit of making decisions above the heads of citizens have become so endemic that even a change of guard at City Hall has not made a difference,” the party said in a statement.
It said the questions over the suitability and integrity of the proposed contractors and the apparent secrecy in which the matter was handled raise serious questions of transparency. “Transparency is a central tenet of democratic governance and in light of the revelations of the forensic audits, [the] WPA is shocked that the Mayor and her team seem so dismissive of charges in this regard.”
The party said it feels that the initiative should be reviewed. There is no credible reason being advanced for the haste to install the parking meters. The proposed fee of $500 per hour, for example, is exorbitant. In this regard, he said the party has agreed with the intervention of Central Government.
“While we are against the intrusion of the Central Government in the affairs of Local Government, WPA feels that in light of all the question being raised along with the seeming arrogance of the supporters of the project such intervention is justified. We, however, hope that it is one of mediation and aimed at reinforcing accountability rather than seeking to override the will of the Council”.
The party said it salutes those Councillors who have stood up against the majority to bring the matter into the open – this is a refreshing sign. We however urge that, in the spirit of cooperation, the two factions seek consensus going forward.