Veteran butcher allegedly forced out of business

Apr 07, 2013 News

His name is Abdool Jabbar but many know him as ‘Butcher’. In fact when looking for Charles Street Reserve Parika, East Bank Essequibo, it would be easily found if one asks for ‘Butcher Shop Street’ named after the veteran butcher who has been operating in the area for over 30 years.

Abdool Jabbar known as butcher

But now, Butcher fears that his livelihood is under threat since he claims that he is being removed by the head of the local National Democratic Council, ‘all because of favoritism.’
According to Jabbar a named businesswoman has erected several small shops for let in the area where he operates and it is allegedly the woman’s plans to get rid of him for the expansion of her liquor business.
‘Butcher’ said the woman, who is allegedly affiliated to the NDC boss made complaints against him and now he is being forced to move off the parapet where he has been vending for all those years.
On March 19 last, Butcher said that he received a letter from the NDC head ordering that he move. The letter shown to Kaieteur News cited a section of the law which prevents vending in stipulated areas of a community.
On March 28, last, the butcher said he received a personal visit from the NDC official who told him that he must leave.
This is however the same area, ‘Butcher’ charged, where the liquor store owner is reportedly placing her extensions. To heed the NDC’s warning, butcher said he approached the NDC head and vowed to move within the stipulated time before appealing to the official to locate another spot where he can vend to make his living.
The very next day, the butcher said that he was taken to another spot, but he now blocks a ‘dam’ (road) and a drain.
Butcher said many residents complained that he was now blocking the road. A named resident, he said, constantly banged it in his ear about his wrong positioning and the difficulty he posed to persons wanting to traverse the area.
The butcher said that he now sought the intervention of the NDC official to assist with the problem he was having with residents. On March 30, the NDC official was reportedly reached by butcher who laid over his issue.
But when he related the issue, Butcher said that he was told not to worry about the people complaining. He said that he was advised that “they can run to APNU and AFC, but they don’t have the power; I have the power.”
Knowing very well that his new location was not suitable, Jabbar said he went back to the NDC official on April 1, who this time told him (Jabbar) that he was preparing another notice for him to move which would have been delivered later in that day.
“When he told me that, I ask where will I go brother?” And with tear-filled eyes, butcher said he was reportedly told by the official that, “You find a suitable place, even if is in the river, you have to move.”
Butcher said that when he asked why this is being done to him, the blame is being thrown on the NDC overseer for the NDC’s doing since that is the person who draws up the notices.
“Ever since, I have erected a sign on my cart; to move in seven days. I don’t know where I will go or what I will do.”
The man said that he is aging and only recently he lost his son, so he must now continue the business alone to maintain the family.
Jabbar is seeking some intervention as he sees this move by the official as “taking bread out my mouth.”
Kaieteur News however sought a response from the NDC Chairman Moraj Sookhoo who said that several persons using carts and other portable vending equipment were asked to move by orders of the Local Government Ministry.
He said that the street where Butcher operated is now developed and the named business owner wants to extend business after certain upgrades were made.
He further said that the butcher has a well built stall in the Parika Hydronie market and the butcher goes there also.
If Butcher is able to locate a suitable spot where he is not affecting residents or the business owners then he would be accommodated.