A major clean up exercise that will include the relocation of city vendors around Georgetown will commence from Sunday May 1, 2016.

The clean up activities that have been ongoing for several months is being stepped up as Guyana gets ready to welcome thousands of Guyanese home and visitors to its shores for the massive jubilee Independence celebrations during the month of May.

Newly elected Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan, Town Clerk Royston King and other Council officials met with a large group of vendors at City Hall on Thursday where the announcement was made and  the commitment and support of vendors were solicited.

King engaged the vendors and explained that those persons selling around the historic Stabroek Market Square, which he said was completely disorganized, will be relocated to an empty lot south of Parliament Buildings.

He said the relocation would not be permanent but would give the M&CC enough time to get the Stabroek area in order for next month, after which suitable accommodation will be provided.

“Two days ago I walked the Stabroek Square and I was very displeased with what is going on in that particular square. I saw people gambling, I saw people loitering, I had an obnoxious smell where apparently people have been using the area as their personal toilet. I saw school children liming in that area when they should be in school. The entire Stabroek square is completely disorganized,” he told vendors.

The Town Clerk said while some vendors are doing serious business and keeping the area clean, the majority of persons in the square have no business there.

“When its time to move across to the land I don’t want any problems. You are going there on a temporary basis until the Council meets to discuss how they will progress and go forward. We must want to live in a clean city all the time and if you keep the place clean you will get sales.” King also pointed to the disorganized nature of vending in other parts of the city including the popular Regent Street locations.

“You want to sell? No problem! We have to keep the city clean. You have to stop quarreling everyday. You have to stop cursing on the pavement and spitting on the pavements, and wiping out with drugs on the pavement,” King said as he received loud applause of support from vendors.

He asked vendors to cooperate with the Council as its seeks to ensure law and order are maintained for the 50th Anniversary celebrations and beyond.

Deputy Mayor Duncan briefly addressed the vendors and asked for their support in restoring Georgetown to a state of beauty. “The plan we have for that Stabroek Market is one that you will be proud of and your children’s children will be proud of that entire square.”

He said the Town Clerk has the full support of the Council to execute the plan to clean the area and have vendors relocated as part of a bigger plan to returning the Capital City to.

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