Demolition of Parika stalls raises moral issues—RDC Councillor

Nov 06, 2011 News

… Works Minister says removal is a logistical issue

The demolition of vendors’ stalls at Parika , East Bank Essequibo has raised questions of morality versus logistics.
Regional Democratic Councillor, Mervyn Williams, said that Minister of Transport, Robeson Benn, destroyed stalls that belong to families and single parents without consideration that it was their only source of income.
On the other hand, Benn explained that the engineers have determined the ‘cleared out’ area was a construction site and that it is in the interest of the public that no person is injured by the equipment that will be active in that area.
According to Benn, the two Roll-On/Roll-Off ferries are expected to arrive from China during the first week in December. To accommodate them the stellings at Parika and Supenaam have to be modified. Modification of the Parika facility is now commencing weeks prior to the expected arrival of the two ferries.
Contractor, BK International, had indicated that he would complete the works in four months. Two months have already elapsed.
Williams stated that the government has been budgeting for the Roll-On/Roll-Off facility for five years knowing that the stalls would need to be relocated for construction to begin. He further added that there was a signed agreement between the vendors and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council stating that when the time comes for their removal an alternative location would be established.
At this time, Williams said the document with the agreement has gone missing. Minister Benn went ahead with the destruction of stalls owned by individuals who were paying NDC for their locations on Government reserves even on the day of the demolition, according to Williams.
The RDC Councillor said that there was a lack of communication between the Ministry and the local government. His main concern was that for the development of the country Minister Benn has displaced citizens and put them out of a job with no alternative solution.
He added that the market in Hydronie is not an adequate structure for such a facility. Williams stated that it lacks proper drainage and it floods when it rains. Vendors with perishables are placed in the middle of the market where people hardly venture and there are no latrines for persons to use.
Williams insisted that the vendors should not be treated like criminals, yes they are on government reserves, but that is the prime location for business because the market is heavily flawed.
“These people ‘encroaching’ on government reserves are just trying their best to make ends meet” states Williams.

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Demolition of Parika stalls raises moral issues—RDC Councillor

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