Vendors to file injunction against M&CC

May 28, 2009 News

…seek to halt increase in stall fees

These vendors gathered recently to voice their concerns

Some vendors at the Bourda Market are prepared to file an injunction against the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown (M&CC) to temporarily halt the decision to increase stallholders’ fees until repairs are carried out.
Several of the vendors said that they have secured the services of a lawyer whom they have instructed to take action by tomorrow if the municipality does not heed their request to hold off on the increase decision until the market is in a better state.
The vendors added that it was some four years ago that the municipality had increased the stall fees when an assurance was given that the facility would have been rehabilitated.
However, the years came and went and no repairs were effected, except for some minor works, some of which have never been completed, the vendors disclosed.
They claim that they are skeptical that the municipality would repair the market this time around if they willingly pay the increase fee.
At a recent meeting held at City Hall, Deputy Mayor, Robert Williams, assured several concerned vendors that works will commence on the market by June 1 thus they should comply with the new payment scheme.
This newspaper understands that once the rehabilitative work commences on schedule it should be completed before the end of next month. The vendors noted that the municipality could postpone the increase to the following month.
The vendors have complained about the conditions they are made to endure, including the horrible stench which emanates from almost every corner of the market as a result of the activities of junkies and homeless persons.
They said that when it rains they suffer the most because the rain seeps through the roof of the market which has been neglected for a number of years. As a result they are forced to cover themselves and their merchandise with tarpaulin, umbrellas and other means to continue their trade on a rainy day.
And since the security of the market is compromised because of damaged areas, the vendors claim that they suffer losses constantly at the hand of robbers who invade the facility when it is closed.
Recently Clerk of Markets, Schulder Griffith, said that lights were placed in the market for the benefit of vendors.
But according to the vendors, yesterday, they are yet to see some 96 lighting fixtures that were alluded to by council officials.
They revealed that the Deputy Mayor had promised that he along with other officials would visit the market over the weekend to further examine the concerns raised by vendors, adding that no such exercise was engaged.
However, Griffith in an invited comment yesterday said that more vendors have come forward to pay the requisite increase despite the efforts by some to fight the process.
He highlighted that over the past weekend more than 100 stallholders have made payment.
He is confident that the disgruntled vendors will also come to terms with the situation and eventually make their payment as well.