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Tempers flare at Parika NDC meetings
– vendors explode after verbal attack by Chairman
Tempers allegedly flared out of control recently, when the Parika NDC Chairman, Krishna Samlall, hosted a meeting with vendors as he attempted to bring a resolution to the issue of relocating them to an area that will afford reasonable sales.
The meeting was called after the vendors objected to the seizing of their goods, by the authorities who claimed that they were operating in an area deemed illegal.
The vendors were placed far behind the Parika Market, at a location hardly traversed by anyone.
They had complained of being unable to garner any significant sales and as such, had moved to another area in a desperate bid to survive.
Some of the vendors that were present at the alleged chaotic meeting.
It was reported that at Wednesday’s meeting, vendor, Ann Baird raised her concerns about the seizure of their goods, the losses they incurred (since items were perishable), and their need to survive and provide for their families.
Another vendor, Lalita Sumintra, it was said, stood up to air her views and was the recipient of a verbal attack from the NDC Chairman.
Sources yesterday told this newspaper that the Chairman ordered Sumintra to, “Shut up, I would get the full force and the law fuh deal with you,” and this threw the meeting into complete chaos.
These reports were confirmed by the CDC Vice-Chairman, Arthur Thorne, who actually chaired the meeting.
Reports stated that tempers flew out of control, and the vendors and the NDC Chairman were ‘spitting fire’ as the CDC Vice-Chairman attempted to maintain order.
It is said that the NDC Chairman then reportedly left the meeting hurriedly.
Vendors are claiming that Sumintra is the bravest of the lot and would speak out without fear, which may have caused the NDC Chairman to dislike her.
They claimed that at one instance, the Chairman even sent persons to seize the goods of Sumintra that was secured on a cart at a private residence.
However, Thorne indicated yesterday that before the ‘confusion began’, Samlall had indicated that he was operating under direct instruction from the Ministry of Local Government, when he engaged in seizing the vendors’ goods.
He said that Samlall had also told vendors that he will have the market designed to ensure persons trading perishable goods be relocated to the front, to facilitate maximum sales.
Thorne noted that this statement was however met with a protest from vendors who indicated that they needed to survive, and must be given a better area temporarily until that decision is made a reality.
On Thursday, the vendors were lamenting the fact that they had nowhere to turn, but must sell to make ends meet in their homes.
Even as this was happening, the CDC Chairman was still trying to quiet the angry women, as he attempted to take the matter to the Director of the CDC, Philomena Shury.
Kaieteur News tried on both Wednesday and Thursday to get a comment from the NDC Chairman, but a female kept indicating that he was ‘in a meeting’.
Repeated attempts to contact him on his cellular phone failed, since the phone rang out continuously.
The vendors had complained that although they don’t sell in the market, they are required to pay $600 or $700 per stall to the NDC, since they furnished them with the structures.
Some noted that while their goods were seized, other persons are allowed to sell the same items just about where they pleased. Vendors reported that when they objected, they were told by the NDC Chairman that they can sell from 17:00 hrs in the evening. Vendors are arguing that by that time most persons will be heading for their homes, thus, leaving them at a standstill.
The vendors related that they are forced to pay either $6000 or $10 000, before they can reclaim their goods from the NDC whenever it is seized.
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