Dear Editor,
The significance of the parking meters’ protest is the rise of civil society. For far too long we have been looking at our country’s future through the lens of politics and two political parties, the PPP and PNC (APNU). On February 4 we saw something very significant in Guyana and that is civil society standing up for their right to be heard and challenging our political system for its incompetence.
Civil society strives for all the things we want in Guyana and those are security, economic growth, an efficient public service and transparency in fiscal management. As the city council tries to milk starving cows, they are losing sight of what truly drives economic growth. The city council doesn’t seem to understand that running a city is similar to running a corporation; in many ways it is more like the private sector than the government. This is because the city largely depends on businesses being successful and the healthy circulation of money. Govern-ments on the other hand, have other mechanisms to depend on, such as natural resources and partnerships with other countries and organizations.
Therefore, it is critical that the city does not jump to the end with things like parking meters, but instead starts from the beginning by strengthening the existing system of tax collection and improving the efficiency and transparency of the system. Then it can move on to attract more businesses by providing security and fast and easy processes for businesses. After these things are in place, then it can move to parking meters and other taxes, because at this stage it is hoping to have a healthy economy where people will be more inclined to support the city council which supports them.
All the signals from the city council suggest there is corruption, in-fighting, poor leadership and little or no vision. Therefore it is hard for the people to trust the council; trust is something the council must earn and cannot simply demand.
Civil society must continue to protest for the things that are right and keep the pressure on this or any other government in the future. It should be that badly needed non-aligned third force that will defend the rights of the people and country when required. It is long overdue that politics should have its limits and not penetrate every aspect our lives.
Yours faithfully,
Malcolm Watkins
