Disappointment with Govt over parking, other issues

Dear Editor,

In travelling around the country the last couple of weeks, I heard only complaints and grievances against the Government. Even supporters of the People’s National Congress (PNC) are upset with their government. There was hardly anything positive or complimentary people had to say about this Government. Among the grouses were: the parking meter issue, declining state of the economy (accompanied by rising prices) and financial hardship, the budget that was criticised by almost everyone, Government’s (Attorney General) attack on the Judiciary (Justice Carl Singh and Ms Prithima Kissoon), oil and gas finds and related topics, Donald Trump’s immigration policy, rising land rates, appointment of a Chairman of Guyana Elections Commission, privatisation of Skeldon and or the Guyana Sugar Corporation, racial discrimination against Indians and Amerindians in employment practices, and the ethnic purging of Indians (based on age discrimination and unsure political loyalty) on Government Boards.

Opposition to Government is not restricted to any group. Businesses that supported the Government are disappointed with recent policies. Supporters of the Alliance For Change (AFC) see their representatives in the Government as meek and spineless and as selling out their party to the dominant PNC partner for political crumbs. There is widespread disappointment across the board with the regime that has frittered away the good will the population had 18 months ago for the regime. People initially were pleased with and expected positive change in May 2015. But now they say they have been short changed or the change is now worse than what they had under the arrogant People’s Progressive Party (PPP). They wish if they could have another chance to vote now – they will vote out the regime although not necessarily vote in the PPP. They are looking for another third force as a balance of power since they feel AFC has betrayed them and has comfortably morphed into the PNC.

People view the parking meter as an outrage and the Government is getting a lot of flak over it. There is growing civil resistance although it has some support among non-motorists to control traffic and to generate revenues for the city government. But virtually no motorist in Georgetown is in support of the parking meter programme.

Even those who don’t drive to town are opposed to it although they are not unduly concerned about the matter. The primary source of the opposition to the parking meter is the high cost (affordability for low income earners) which some claim is higher than parking meters in the US and Canada. Although some support parking meters, they outright reject the VAT on the fees. Some feel or complain their fortnight or monthly salary will not be enough to pay for the parking charge. They indicated they would not drive to town because they can’t afford the parking fee. They will park at another location where there are no meters and take a mini bus or taxi which is cheaper than paying the parking fees.

Many said they planned to use clever ways (civil resistance) to avoid parking in the city (at public places) to starve the meter; they will park at private lots or other spaces. Many intended to commute to city instead of driving their own vehicle. Vendors that sell the parking cards said they ran out of $500 denominations and were offered only $1000 denominations viewing it as a conspiracy to hoodwink unsuspecting motorists. Because of the parking meters, business persons and vendors in the downtown Georgetown area I spoke with say their revenues have declined up to 40 per cent during the first few days the meters came into effect. And this is on top of already lowered revenues from a declining economy since the change in regime. So clearly, the parking meters are affecting businesses, commuting to the city, spending power, and the mind-set of the population – all impacting productivity.

Some Georgetown dwellers are in favour of the parking meters, saying they are necessary because of the large volume of vehicular traffic in the city. But they want the parking fees to be lowered. However, a large majority of people wants the parking meters to be scrapped altogether and replaced with some other measures to raise revenues for the city. Overall, the objective among opponents is to shutdown the meters using a variety of measures.

As I told colleagues before I left Guyana, because of the various measures being undertaken to starve the parking meters, it will be unprofitable to the company that manages it. It may be just a matter of time before they are scrapped. And there is overwhelming support for scrapping it.

Yours truly,

Vishnu Bisram