June 22, 2016 Source

Dear Editor,

Let me from the outset state categorically, I am in full support of the process in principle to institute parking meters in Georgetown, Guyana.  My logic is very simple: if you can afford a car, you should be able to afford to pay for your parking in central Georgetown.

But what I cannot understand is why there is so much secrecy surrounding the now ill-famous parking meter contract.

Is history about to repeat itself in Guyana where financial skullduggery, fuelled by arrogant politicians is about to kick off and take centre stage again?

I have been a strong supporter of Mayor Patricia Chase-Green for a long time since I think she brings a more can-do attitude to the city than her predecessor, Cde Hammie, who clearly was out to lunch on the fundamental issues on more occasions than not.  But Mayor Patricia has stepped off the road on the parking meter contract and is clearly now in the mud.  I wish for her sake she comes out of the mud, back on to the road because I still think she has much value to add to the City of Georgetown.

I have no problem with the fact that the Mayor intends to go full speed ahead to have parking meters installed in the City of Georgetown.  But that position can only be supported after due process has been followed by fully adhering to the principles of accountability and transparency.

The foundation principles in the procurement of any goods or services have to be the promotion of competition and securing the best value for money spent.  I, like many others to whom I have spoken, cannot with a clear conscious conclude that the people of Guyana are securing the best value for money as a result of this contract.

1. Is there anything unique about the goods and services being provided? The answer is no!  Every properly conceived city in the world has parking meters and there are hundreds of contractors doing this kind of work, so why sole source?
2. Are the goods and services being offered of a highly complex nature? The answer is again no!  The technology is basic, the systemography is elementary and the operation is easy to manage, so why are we sole sourcing again?
3. Is there a major disaster about to unfold if we do not procure from this preferred sole sourced contractor? The answer is again no! This is not a broken sea defence structure that needs immediate attention before the next high tide or else the villagers will be flooded at great loss to the economy.

This contract can wait until it is figured out professionally by the technical experts.

And where are the transparency advocates like Christopher Ram, Anand Goolsarran, and Ramon Gaskin?  Where is the voice of Mr Nigel Hinds, the accountant now when we need it? Why are they so silent all of a sudden in the light of this mass act of procurement transgression which is directly contributing to a breakdown in public confidence in the M&CC?

If one is to observe who went on this trip, none of them are technical experts in parking meters and at a minimum, the City Engineer and City Treasurer should have been on that trip with the Mayor and the Town Clerk, rather than Mr Oscar Clarke, General Secretary of the PNC and City Councillor.  I am calling on President Granger to engage his technicians to review this procurement deal.

Shame on those who are trying to hide public business from the members of the public!

Yours faithfully,

Sase Singh