Pressure group ready to return to streets over plan to proceed with ‘corrupt’ parking...

From page 16

Ferreira was mandated to review the contract, consult with all stakeholders and recommend possible solutions to any impasse that may arise from the implementation of the metered parking project.

The team was specifically tasked with addressing five areas of concern identified by Central Government, including the unequal terms of the contract; the burdensome fees; the high penalties for non-compliance; and the inclusion of gazetted public roads and certain areas around schools and hospitals.

After three months of stakeholder engagements, the committee submitted its report on August 2. In that report, it noted that though SCS was asked to provide proof of its stated millions in investments, it refused to do so.

The company also refused to share with the committee its feasibility study and business proposal unless its members agreed to sign a confidentiality agreement.

However, the report says “given the public nature of the parking meter fiasco the committee found it necessary to reject the idea of signing a non-disclosure agreement or to be bound by secrecy.”

Additionally, during its three months of investigations, the committee noted that concessionaire SCS had vastly inflated estimates of its capital investment.

Despite these findings, the 13 councillors, including Vice Chairman of the committee Noelle Chow-Chee, argued that the city must work with SCS to improve the contract rather than revoke it. Their vote means that the city will have to request a further suspension of the metered parking by laws.