Latest update November 29th, 2024 1:00 AM
Street vendors near Stabroek Market evicted again
Street vendors operating in front the Stabroek Market were yesterday once
Stabroek Market street vendors dismantling stalls to evacuate the area
again evicted by the Georgetown Municipality.
Just before noon, ranks of the City Constabulary instructed them to evacuate the market square.
When this publication visited the scene, vendors who were packing up their goods and dismantling stalls expressed dissatisfaction that the Municipality had ejected them without notice.
Though this is not the first time the vendors are being evicted from the square, they were surprised with the Municipal’s decision this time. The vendors related that earlier this year Council had advised that they should conduct business as usual until an alternative location, preferably the Merriman’s Mall, was available.
The Mayor and City Council had taken that decision because the street vendors had refused to leave the vicinity claiming that there are neighbouring street vendors who should also be removed.
In addition, some vendors had pointed out that they were “cheated” out of the opportunity to be stall holders in the New Stelling View Mall. As such, the Council was expected to launch an investigation into the allotment of stalls to big businesses instead of some street vendors.
According to Mayor Hamilton Green, the vendors were served notices to evacuate the area about a month ago. He noted that investigations into the allocation of stalls in the New Stelling View Mall revealed that some of the street vendors are stall holders in that shopping complex.
However, he was unable to comment if indeed some street vendors were “cheated” during the allotment of stalls in that facility in the interest of big businesses. Green stressed that the vendors were asked to present evidence that they had applied, but to date they have been unable to do so.
He stated that according to the records some street vendors who had applied were not granted stalls, owing to the fact it was on a first come first serve basis, even though the establishment was created to benefit street vendors. In addition, there was no cut-off date for the submission of applications.
Green emphasized that an important aspect of this situation to note is that both officers who were dealing with this project are no longer with the Municipality. In terms of alternative accommodation for the vendors he stated that Merriman’s Mall infrastructure is being prepared.
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