Mayor of Georgetown Hamilton Green says that the absence of parking lots is an issue of serious concern on which the city has been ignored by the government.
Buildings are being constructed without any provision for parking and because of this motorists are forced to park along the roadways and in some instances no parking zones. The Guyana Revenue Authority‘s occupancy of the former Clico building on Camp Street is a case in point. It is leading to severe traffic congestion on Camp Street during peak periods.
In a letter in the February 9, 2013 edition of Stabroek News titled `Government opposed plan for city parking, Green, wrote that “Citizens must know that in 2000 after wide-ranging discussions and consultations with citizens, the security forces and most importantly the business community, a plan for the enhancement and development of the city was approved by the council, and the same was submitted to cabinet to be given the green light, so to speak, for its implementation.”
The letter further went on to say that “a significant recommendation was that every new development in the business district of Georgetown should provide adequate parking on the ground floor or elsewhere to facilitate staff and customers. At the cabinet meeting the acceptance of this proposal was advanced by me, and in addition we asked for the use of unused lands in the city for parking.”
“(Former) President (Bharrat) Jagdeo led the assault on these proposals saying these will be a disincentive to the business community,” the letter added. This refusal is deemed as a fundamental error on the part of the government while the city is allowed to be ruined by their callous actions, the Mayor charged.
Green also stated that since this last proposal he has written on numerous occasions to the Local Government Ministry on the issue but the ministry has failed to acknowledge his letter. Minister of Local Government Ganga Persaud was unable to give a comment on the issue when contacted last week.
The failure of the ministry to acknowledge the ideas stated in the letters caused Green to state “there seems to be a diabolical plan by the government to destroy the city. The parking situation will explode soon… a city must have space.” He further noted that “they (government) have tied my hands and ignored all recommendations to bring restoration to the city. Not a single proposal we have made to broaden our revenue base as suggested by the government was approved.”
When asked about land space in the middle of the city being used for parking such as at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) parking lot at Camp and Quamina streets which is for employees only, the mayor stated it is an unacceptable practice which stains the image of the city. He also said that the GRA parking lot is in an area where important buildings are located.
In a letter to the editor in the February 2nd edition of Stabroek News entitled ‘No Parking for taxpayers at new GRA location’ Nadia Burke expressed her frustration over parking when she visited the GRA. In the letter, Burke stated “there was absolutely no parking available to taxpayers. The busy Camp Street area was overcrowded with vehicles on both sides.”
She said that “after ten minutes of circling the area I noticed a GRA parking lot, but when I tried to park there the guard told me I couldn’t because that lot is reserved for the staff only. Much to my frustration I had to continue looking for a spot. I finally got one close to Church Street.”
The GRA has since provided customer parking about a block away on Waterloo Street, though this has not eased the congestion on Camp Street in any way.
Mayor Green was also asked if the City Council is responsible for the approval of these lands to be used a parking lots and he stated “yes and no. Central Housing takes care of zoning in the city…” He further went on to state that the decision of the council is often overriden by officials at Central Housing and Planning and the Ministry of Local Government.
A large building is also nearing completion at Camp and Lamaha streets without facility for parking. Two lots on either side have since been cleared leading to suggestions that they may be utilized for parking.
