Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand today reassured that vendors plying their trade at the Stabroek Market Square will not be removed, at least not now.

She signaled the Government’s intention to bring structure to the country’s primary commercial zone, as part of its Beautification Project for the capital city of Georgetown.

Appearing on GoMoseley Online Radio this morning, Minister Manickchand said years of “mistrust” between Central Government, the Municipality and the vendors, led to last Thursday’s objection to the erection of construction walls in the Stabroek Market Square. However, she said now that the dust has settled, vendors should be assured that it was never Government’s intention to displace them during the festive reason.

“At this point vendors are not going to be moved, and they will not be moved at this point,” Minister Manickchand assured.

The walls form part of a beautification project that would see a Christmas tree being erected at the centre of the market square, part of which will be elevated to create a platform for both vendors and commuters, and even local artistes.

Minister Manickchand said contrary to reports, only two vendors were operating within the designated area for the project, and they have not been displaced.

“In fact I spoke to the coconut man, and I say you could actually sell but of course not with a barrel, and a coconut and a cutlass, and just dropping your stuff on the ground. When the square is finished we will give you a corner in that square where you will become the coconut man of the square, if this is something you want. He looked at me, I am not sure he believes me as yet, I’m not sure he trusts me with that as yet, but I am willing to work for his trust,” Minister Manickchand said.

Looking ahead, the Local Government Minister spoke of the need to bring structure and to reorganize markets and other public places across the city and in other parts of the country. As for the Stabroek Market, Manickchand hinted at plans by the Government to restore the historic facility.

“The government is looking at restoring the entire Georgetown and we have started with some places, Stabroek Block is one of those places. And that’s why I said that they wouldn’t be moved now, at this point, because Christmas is upon us and so on but that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to set up a food court separately so that everybody selling food is in the same place or that we aren’t going to set up a clothing area separately, or better yet, and I don’t want to talk about it too early, but we aren’t going to build back the entire Stabroek Market,” Minister Manickchand explained.

She said the intention is not to replace or rebuild but to restore, pointing out that already the Local Government Ministry has awarded a contract for repairs to be done to the market’s roof to prevent leakage and flooding.

“So it is not a wild, oh you are going to pull this thing down and put in glass buildings and high rise that take away from what we know. Georgetown must look and feel like an old Georgetown but cleaner, modern, [with] public facilities like sanitation and sanitary facilities, public transportation that is organized, a city that is safe, a city that is shady and beautiful. We are known for that,” Minister Manickchand said.

As it rolls out its beautification project, the Government is receiving support from the King’s Foundation in the area of sustainable urban development.

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