Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan yesterday protested the installation of parking meters in front of the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre and the Bishops’ High School.
Duncan who has been a vocal critic of the highly controversial project spent his lunch hour protesting the action of Smart City Solution (SCS). Duncan gained the attention of dozens of passersby who vocally supported him. He stood on Carmichael Street holding up his placard which read “Parking meters burdensome!”
He told Stabroek News that he decided to protest because the company contracted to install the parking meters did not consider that the teachers of the school would be impacted severely.
He stressed that the teachers were already earning small wages and being asked to pay for parking outside of schools and Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre was disrespectful.
He added that not only would disabled persons and teachers be affected by the poor organization of the parking meters but also vendors and taxi drivers.
He also noted that it takes three to four years to have building plans approved by the Mayor and City Council but the parking meter contract could have been awarded and rolled out within nine months. The Deputy Mayor added that he believes there was poor consultation on the installation of the parking meters since persons were not aware of provisions that are available to them.
Duncan from the inception had said that he could support the venture. He had called for the project to be properly tendered with guidance from the procurement laws.
