The insignificant drizzle that was allowed to develop into a downpour

Feb 15, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
In order to combat the advancement of the vendors’ empire on the City’s pavements, the Mayor & City Council have now seen it fit to rigidly enforce the laws and by-laws of this country.

Indeed, this situation started as an insignificant drizzle, and was negligently allowed to develop into a downpour. Despite their long period of occupation, it is not lawful for them to remain. For, in law, the perpetuation of a wrong does not make it a right.

In tracing the origin of this public spectacle, one can honestly say that this situation originated from the said aggrieved property owners, who began entrusting their commodities to the vendors to sell on their allotted pavements. As business began to flourish, others joined the band-wagon, selling their own commodities, thus reducing the margin of profit of both former entities. In this process of encumbering, customers were prevented from entering the said stores by way of subtle coercion. This also created the perfect atmosphere for crime.

Presently, the door is open for anyone to assume that the personnel from the Mayor and City Council department allowed themselves to be blindfolded much too long in the process of executing their lawful duties in this respect. If this situation had been properly monitored, a curtailment would have been most evident, and this sad spectacle would never have gained a solid foundation.

It is well known that, in a democratic society, there is provision for the right of every citizen to earn an honest dollar, but in accordance with the law of the land. It is also very clear that the presence of these vendors amounts to a contravention of our laws. However, an amicable settlement is urgently needed in order to appease everyone involved, and relocation is seen as the only solution.

Presently, the prospect of relocating everyone is definitely an impossible one; nevertheless, the task is worth undertaking, in order to immediately create a more stable environment.

In commencing the process of relocation, constant surveillance must be kept on the remaining few, to ensure that they are not joined by others. As new areas are developed, the vendors will all be co-opted into these continuous schemes.

The machinery of relocation should be imbued with fairness and impartiality, and some degree of governmental interest and involvement should be shown in this respect. In the past, we have seen where such schemes became breeding grounds for corruption, spreading turmoil, confusion and disunity.

With this beautiful country of ours, Guyana, enjoying a state of tranquility, failing to harness this situation may possibly ignite unpleasant happenings, if the seed of discontentment is sown.
Ronald Alexander Drakes

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