By Svetlana Marshall

Vendors plying their trade at the Stabroek Market square are furious over the erection of construction walls in the area, but the Ministry of Local Government has indicated that the construction of the walls forms part of a beautification project for the commercial zone that is getting underway.

The wall has essentially locked many of the vendors out from passersby, who they depend on for sales.

The construction of the wall began after midnight, and according to the vendors, while they were told of the beautification project, they were never informed of a start time or details of the project. They said they depend on the Christmas season for extra sales and have stocked up with goods.

One vendor said she was at her stall early this morning when the construction work started suddenly.

“Next thing you know when morning come, I see them putting up ply, so I tell he, how yall could be putting up ply and nobody ain’t inform we, he said he get instruction and he was told to put up the ply. So, I said you ain’t putting up no ply in front of me place because I invest a lot of money for Christmas and I cannot move from here at this present moment, because is wares I selling,” the woman complained.

The vendor said it is difficult for her to relocate at this time, with the shopping season starting. She said she is not against the project, but more time and some notification should have been provided to the vendors.

“We were not informed by no Government Minister, the constable, nobody told us anything that we have to move from here. Nobody told us we have to move from here or nothing,” the woman said.

Another vendor told reporters that while they were engaged more than two weeks ago about a beautification project at the market, they were not told that the project would result in them being dislocated.

“Now, this is a bully thing. This is not cooperation no more in this country. It is not one people one nation. It is friends, favorites and family. This is what is happening. I am not a politician, I talk for the rights,” the man said.

 A mother of two, who sells phone credit in the area, said vendors were not informed about the nature of the beautification project, and the erection of the walls caught everyone by surprise.

“I am selling credit, Digicel Top Up, GTT, MMG and I have two kids. I just came to carry my daughter to school and this is what I come to. Not even a notice, not even a nothing. How Priya could work like this? She coming in the town telling people about garbage bin and all these things, and nothing. Priya how you could work suh…putting up a whole wall without a notice. It is not what you do, is how you do it” the woman cried.

Some vendors fear that their businesses could face some major hurdles during the holiday season.

“I came out this morning to vend and it is like a prison we in. They block up the area but nobody came to notify us and tell we nothing that we got to move or nothing or they doing no construction work or nothing. This is very ridiculous. I have bills to pay, and I can’t say what will really happen,” the woman said.

Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Mentore told reporters that he too was caught off guard, claiming that he was not informed that the beautification project would result in vendors being displaced.

According to the Mayor, while he was briefed on the erection of a Christmas Tree, in the absence of proper consultation, and notification, he might be forced to halt the project.

“If it is that this development has to be suspended, we would have to do so because I am a bit concern as persons coming in the middle of the night, and putting up this year without the town clerk or the council themselves educating the persons, and giving them notice, and letting them know how they will be accommodated,” Mentore said.

He said he is “uncomfortable” with the current situation, and he would seek to hold talks with the Ministry of Local Government with the aim of finding a common ground.

But Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, in a post on Facebook, said the beautification project will mimic the green space opposite the Public Buildings, and will be wholly accessible to the public, including vendors, shoppers and commuters.

It was explained that the floor will be raised, and park benches would be put down. A special area would be designated for local artistes to perform.

She made it clear that vendors would not be removed – a position reinforced by her Deputy Permanent Secretary, Dr Josh Kanhai who was on the ground this morning.

“The vendors are not to be displaced, the vendors are not to be hampered. These boards that are going up are to basically align the fence structure, which is merely about 3 to 31/2 ft tall, that’s going to form a fence in this parameter here, and it will be a transparent fence, where vendors would be seen, and they will be within selling,” Dr Kanhai explained.

Minister Manickchand, in a separate post on the issue, said the Mayor was part of a meeting at the Housing Ministry, during which a video presentation was made on the Stabroek Square development. According to her, the project received support of the Council.

The Local Government Ministry is contending too that during engagements at the Stabroek Market Square, the concept was “publicly presented to all present.”

  Minister Manickchand said while the erection of the ply board wall around the area may have caused some alarm, it is necessary in the interest of safety.

The project is expected to be completed in two weeks.

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