Attorney General Anil Nandlall is leading a delegation, which includes several witnesses who will testify in the US$100 million claim brought by Smart City Solutions over the controversial parking meter project, to France. The case is being heard before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) from Monday, September 29 to Saturday, October 4.
It would be recalled that the parking meter project was initiated in 2016 by the then Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC), under the APNU+AFC government, without adequate consultation with citizens. Hundreds of meters were installed across Georgetown, but the project quickly collapsed in the face of overwhelming public protests.
Following the collapse of the project, Smart City Solutions Holdings Inc. filed for damages and compensation to the tune of US$100 million—an arbitration case that is now being heard before ICSID in Paris, France.
For Guyana’s part, legal costs have surpassed US$1 million, according to the Attorney General.
In a statement to the press, it was noted that key witnesses for Guyana include former Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, as well as former Georgetown Mayor and City Council councillors Malcolm Ferreira and Bishram Kuppen. A former Chancellor of the Judiciary will also appear as an expert witness.
The ICSID tribunal was constituted on September 20, 2022, and is chaired by Dr. Campbell Alan McLachlan KC of New Zealand, alongside arbitrators Stephan Schill of Germany (appointed by the Claimant) and Marcelo Kohen of Argentina (appointed by the Respondent).
Guyana is being represented by the Washington-based law firm Foley Hoag, working in close collaboration with the Attorney General’s Chambers.
