Huge sums have already been spent by the government in the case concerning the US$100 million lawsuit filed against the State of Guyana by the Mexican parking meter company but Attorney General Anil Nandlall says no settlement is being considered.
“… from the public outrage expressed at the time, it would appear as though the people of Guyana are not ready for that type of facility at least in the form in which it was presented and at the cost it would have attracted.
“So what are we paying for? What are you going to pay for? If you settle at a quarter of that sum [the US$100 million], it is a humongous sum to pay for nothing,” Nandlall said when asked whether a settlement was being considered.
US$100 million is equivalent to about GY$20.9 billion.
At a press conference on Monday, the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs said the current People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government was forced to defend the State in the proceedings over the “nefarious” deal.
And already, over US$2 million was spent on the matter. He expects more spending since Guyana is now in the process of presenting its defence and witnesses have to be flown to the United States and accommodated there. Local and international experts assisting Guyana with the case have to be paid, too.
In May 2016, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council signed a contract with the Mexican company, Smart City Solutions for a paid parking system to be rolled out in Georgetown.
The meters were active in January 2017 but this was met with strong resistance from the private sector bodies, citizens and members of the then opposition. Amid public pressure, the then APNU+AFC Government intervened a few months later and halted the parking meter project, which has since remained stalled.
Nandlall said the fallout and the ongoing proceedings are an “unnecessary dilemma” that cost Guyana a lot.
