Attorney General Anil Nandlall has disclosed that the legal fees for the lawsuit brought by Smart City Solutions (SCS) over the terminated parking meter project have now exceeded two million US dollars.
Smart City Solutions initiated the 100-million-US-dollar lawsuit against the government over the controversial parking meter project, which faced opposition from the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) in 2016.
The case has been filed through the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in Washington, DC.
Nandlall expressed concern over the financial impact of the ongoing case, stating that it has already cost the government significantly, with the potential for further expenses as the case progresses.
The Attorney General highlighted that local and international witnesses, including experts, are involved in the case.
The government is now required to cover the expenses associated with these individuals, including travel costs to the US for testimony.
Nandlall emphasized that the funds spent on legal fees could have been allocated for various social benefits and key sectors in the country.
US lawyers are currently preparing Guyana’s defense for arbitration in response to Smart City Solutions’ claims regarding the termination of the parking meter contract.
In 2022, it was announced that taxpayers would continue to bear the legal fees for the country’s representation, potentially exceeding three million US dollars.