Region Three Administration dismantle roadside stalls

Jun 16, 2008 News

…As Carifesta X looms…

The Region Three Administration made good on its promise yesterday to ensure that all roadside vending at the vicinity of the Vreed-en-Hoop junction was removed.
Regional Chairman Julius Faerber had informed Kaieteur News that, although several of the vendors are against the relocation strategy, they will have no choice, since the move is inevitable before the hosting of Carifesta X.
As such, the junction yesterday morning was a scene of demolition activities, which saw several stalls being dismantled with a view to clearing the roadsides, much to the distress of some vendors.
According to Mr Faerber, the removal of the stalls was on the charts for some time now, since the activities there have over the years proven to be an obstruction.

However, he had disclosed that the process was being fast tracked in order to facilitate enhancement measures which are ongoing in the region for the undertaking of some Carifesta activities.
And though they were already aware of the imperative nature of the move, several of the vendors yesterday lamented the fact that they were being displaced at a time when the cost of living has sky-rocketed.
According to some of them who have occupied the vicinity for a number of years, it would be a difficult task for them to relocate and still retain their regular circle of customers.
Some also claimed that they are being victimised, while others feel they are being punished for others.
They related that vending at the location was approved some years ago and they were allowed to vend at a specific distance away from the roadway.
However, it was related to this newspaper that, over the years, some of the vendors had infringed on the defined demarcation, thus causing the regional administration to take a decision to put an end to the vending operation there.
An initial phase of the relocation process was engaged some time ago. It saw some of the vendors being placed at the Vreed-en-Hoop Ferry Stelling. However, that location could not accommodate the relocation of all of the vendors, thus some remained at the junction.
The continuance of the process this time around was geared at removing the remaining vendors with a view to ensuring that the area remains void of vending.
Mr Faerber had informed that the vendors will be relocated to a site at Phoenix Park, West Bank Demerara, where they will be able to continue their trade with ease in a market-type setting.
He pointed out that the intention is not to hurt the business of the vendors in any way, but to ensure that the region can be viewed as one with much order, and thus suitable to be the host of some of the Carifesta activities.