The deterioration continues at the Kitty Market

May 17, 2009 News

…but a change could be on the horizon

By Sharmain Cornette

The lack of necessary funds has been cited as the primary reason that the Kitty Market has been allowed to remain in a dilapidated condition over the years.

It was established several decades ago and represents one of the five Municipal markets in Georgetown.

However unlike the other four markets, Stabroek, Bourda, East La Penitence and Ruimveldt, the Kitty Market has up to recently been described as a risk to life and limb, a description, which suggests its dire condition.

So badly has it been allowed to deteriorate that the upper flat has been condemned by the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown (M&CC).

City Mayor Hamilton Green said that he has complained ad nauseam over the years, of the Municipality’s inability to sustain itself. He said that due to the lack of funds the city council has not been able to maintain the market, which he admitted, is in a deplorable state.

Even during the reign of the government-appointed Interim Management Committee it was suggested that the revenue base of the facility be boosted with a view to making the Municipality self-sufficient, a feat yet to be realised.

Public Relations Officer, Royston King, who disclosed that the lack of funds has prevented the council from maintaining the facility for over 20 years, mirrored the Mayor’s views.

And so vendors at the Kitty Market have been complaining over the years even as they observe the deterioration of the facility. They have repeatedly pointed to the fact that they are mostly affected when it rains as there is no proper roofing thus rain seeps through the flooring unto their stalls and merchandise.

In years past the upper flat of the market had accommodated the Kitty Village Council before it was taken over by the Municipality as the venue for the payment of rates and taxes. In addition to housing the Treasury Department, the flat had housed the Public Health Department and had been utilised as a Community Centre.

It was however condemned almost six years ago, according to Clerk of Markets, Schulder Griffith, who related during an interview that although the upper flat is condemned, the bottom is still in a useable state.

When questioned as to whether the Municipality considers the facility a risk, Griffith said, “We are guided by the advice of the City Engineers in relation to the structural surface. If they say that the markets should be closed then we have to close it but at the moment we have not been given instructions to do so…”

He acknowledged, though, that the facility is rapidly becoming a hazard to life and limb.

Despite its state, the market today accommodates some 40 vendors.

Currently there are about 12 stallholders who operate inside the market, including two who ply their trade in the fishpond. And according to Griffith the vendors still pay their full rent.

But it has not been easy for them to pay rent and not see any significant returns.

According to David, a book vendor, who claims to have operated in the market for over 25 years, he has been struggling to sustain his livelihood.

“Years ago a lot of people use to be here because they had a clinic and so upstairs but over the years the council ain’t repair the market so the place get bad. But we does still pay we full rent although business is not like before.”

David said that his operation in the market is especially affected when it rains as the leakage situation has caused him to lose several of the classical novels he is known for selling. “I does got to put plastic to protect my books otherwise that is it for me.”

And had his business not made an impression back in the days, David speculated that it probably would not be in existence today. “I still making a living because one, one people would still come and buy books…I think I got the oldest novels you can think about right now and people want these books.”

He has however added a bit of shoemaking and offers a clothing line to his customers, to boost his income. David plans to continue his trade at the market until it is no longer possible, adding that it is left to be seen whether any measures will be effected to improve the situation.

Lorna Monic said that she has been vending at the market for 24 years and has been waiting for years to see the Municipality repair the facility. “They have promised and promised but till now nothing.”

She said that when it rains the fishpond area floods knee-deep.

According to the woman she has children to care for and therefore does not have an option but to continue to struggle with the situation. She said that she too is able to thrive with the support of customers who have come to appreciate doing business with her over the years.

Monic related though that instead of venturing into the markets, her customers would call her on her cellular phone and she would have to go outside to deliver their requests.

Another vendor, Nazimul Shallim, who claims to have operated at the market for 30 years, said that he is fearful that nothing will be done in the near future to improve the state of the market.

He said that in recognition of the financial status of the Municipality, vendors had made recommendations to officials to simply build a roof over the market instead of repairing the entire upper flat in order to prevent the leakage situation.

Shallim however laments the fact that the municipality has not heeded the advice.

However, according to Mayor Green, efforts were being made to encourage private sector partnership to maintain the facility. There have so far been no plausible expressions of interest, he said.

He divulged though that it is anticipated that a definitive decision will be made this week as it relates to the improvement of the facility.