By Sue-Ann Wayow

INSTEAD of having wreckers operate in an abusive manner in the capital city of Port of Spain, a proper parking policy needs to be implemented.

This is according to the President of the Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) Gregory Aboud.

Aboud said, “The entire question of a parking policy protects the future of business.”

Speaking with AZP News on Tuesday, Aboud said he wanted to make it clear that DOMA was not against wrecking but against the manner in which the wrecking service has been operating.

Port-of-Spain Mayor Joel Martinez has confirmed that wrecking will resume in Port of Spain next month adding that he was not in favour of the wrecking service but due to several complaints of indiscriminate parking, had to be implemented.

Aboud said it was unfair to the ordinary person who may not be aware of where they can and cannot park and may stop for a few minutes to drop off a child at school, pay a bill and other errands.

It should be noted that most persons getting wrecked were not from the affluent circle and one would not see Audis and Mercedez-Benz getting wrecked, Aboud said.

“This is a direct blow to them,” he said.

Aboud said, “The public is not made aware of where they can park and what times.”

The businessman said there was an exceptional and competent Traffic Management Division that worked well with stakeholders who could devise a proper parking policy.

At a meeting in March with the Ministry of Works and Transport which DOMA attended, Aboud said there was no mention of resumption of the wrecking service.

However, he said he could not understand why Martinez would want to implement the wrecking service.

“Why is the mayor so obsessed with wrecking?” Aboud asked.

Aboud said while DOMA was in favour of order in the city, “we do not want destruction.”

He added, “We are hoping to have good sense prevail, enlightened leadership.”

No alternative

Martinez in his explanation for the resumption of the service told AZP News that a report is expected to be submitted by Traffic Management concerning the city’s situation.

Recommendations were made at the meeting held on March 8 which included proper signage of parking zones, properly painted lines and other measures.

He said Traffic Management was mandated then to compile a report with recommendations within 30 days.

Martinez said wrecking was not new to Port of Spain but had stopped because of several issues and an audit was conducted.

Based on the numerous complaints from corporate Trinidad including the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC), Martinez said “there is no alternative” but to reinforce the service.

“I don’t see any alternative at the moment,” he said.

In response specifically to DOMA, Martinez said, “There is responsibility to ensure the city runs in a particular manner. DOMA does not take responsibility with what happens in the city, the corporation and the council does.”

And in response to Aboud’s statements that Martinez seemed to be obsessed with wrecking, the mayor said, “I really don’t understand Mr Aboud’s statement. He seems to be obsessed with not wrecking.”