Contention is brewing over a plan for parking meters in Georgetown with one company saying that it has an exclusive agreement while City Hall says that two companies will be engaged.
On Friday, City Hall issued a statement saying that the city would be divided into two sections allowing National Parking System (NPS) and Astrolobe Technology to install parking meters. City Hall had said in the press release that the council had approved a proposal for the erection of parking meters for NPS in 1996 and for Astrolobe Technology in 2007.
An announcement by the city that a deal had been reached with NPS had prompted Astrolobe to say that it had the original agreement with the city for parking meters. Based on what the city says, NPS’ arrangement predates Astrolobe’s.
Given the magnitude of the deal for the parking meters, questions have been raised as to why the project had not been put out to tender by the city instead of relying on arrangements – contractual or otherwise – reached in 1996 and 2007.
Senior city councillor and General Secretary of the People’s National Congress Reform Oscar Clarke had told this newspaper that no tendering was done for the parking meters project. The long-time councillor had explained that from 1994 when he became a councillor, there had been numerous proposals from different companies to install parking meters within the city including from NPS.
Yesterday, Stabroek News was told that Astrolobe is expected to make a presentation today before the City Finance Committee and other stakeholders on their plans for installing parking meters in the city.
Saratu Phillips, Astrolobe’s Chief Executive Officer confirmed to Stabroek News that he would be meeting with the stakeholders today at 2pm. He said following discussions with Town Clerk Royston King, he was invited to make a pitch on his plans for the parking meters.
Stabroek News understands that before inking its deal, NPS had made a presentation to the stakeholders.
Meantime, King said his office does not have any document stating that Astrolobe Technology had a signed contractual agreement with City Hall from 2007. However, he said, Phillips has a document from a former Town Clerk and to be fair, the municipality has decided to give him the opportunity to make a presentation.
“As it is now, we have not seen any official record between the City Council and the investor (Astrolobe Technology) for 2007. We only have documents for a company called Miami Florida Parking System and National Parking System,” King said.
However, former Mayor Hamilton Green told Stabroek News yesterday that an agreement was signed between Astrolobe Technology and the City Council to install parking meters.
King said the parking meters project is important for the economic viability of the city. The parking meters, he said, would generate revenue which is much needed. City Hall would not be investing any capital but would be reaping the benefits of revenue and an ease in traffic congestion within the city, he said.
Phillips had told Stabroek News that a 50/50 proposal is on the table which he is willing to accept. He said once an agreement is signed, he would begin sourcing the necessary equipment to begin the installation of the meters. He had also stated that his investment would cost a fraction of his competitor’s.
NPS chairman Irfan Cush yesterday told Stabroek News that he is not aware of any other company working along on the project. He said as far as he is aware, his firm is the only one that has a contract signed with City Hall to undertake the project.
City Hall in a statement, had said the new initiative has a number of benefits for citizens, the business community and the municipality. The benefits include: providing employment for citizens, allowing parking to be done in an organised manner, reduced traffic congestion and boosting the city’s coffers. The state-of-the-art solar powered parking meters would be programmed to interface with English, French, Spanish and Portuguese speakers. The interface would be specially designed to allow the users to top up their balance using their mobile phones. The meters would be specially designed with GPS and the ability to dial 911 automatically to deter vandalism.
According to City Hall, the implementation of the new system would take into account the parking needs of residents and customers. Citizens who live in commercial districts, the release said, would be given a permit to allow them to park on streets between certain hours free of cost and convenient options would be provided for commuters.
The streets that have been identified for the initial rollout of parking meters are: the Avenue of the Republic, Regent Street, Robb Street, Camp Street, Main Street, Brickdam, Water Street, America Street and Church Street.
