Latest update February 4th, 2025 9:06 AM
Demolition work to commence on Stabroek Market Wharf tomorrow
Stabroek Market wharf may finally be getting its much needed repair as demolition work is slated to commence on the age-old structure on Monday. Staffers of the Ministry of Public Works and the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) are expected to work together in repair efforts.
The Torani moored (left) poses a hindrance to speed boats using the loading space.
City Hall’s Town Clerk (Ag) Carol Sooba told the media last Thursday that the Ministry of Public Works has allowed for the vessel Torani to aid in the demolition work. The vessel is currently moored alongside the Stabroek Wharf.
Sooba said that the Council engineers determined that it would be dangerous for staffers to climb to remove the rotten building material and thus employed the Torani. She said that accessing the material might also pose difficult if it is to be transported through the market and the material would be loaded on to the boat for removal. In the meantime sections of the market have been cordoned off to facilitate the rehabilitation process.
Several calls were made over the years for the rehabilitation of the wharf which continues to fall apart. Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker, had said that a revised plan of action to refurbish the market area was in the pipeline, but will take time to materialise.
Heavy winds caused extensive damage to the already badly deteriorated vending area of the wharf. The incident created chaos among vendors and those who ventured into that section of the market to conduct business.
A section of the wharf had also collapsed, injuring a well known market handyman, on June 5, 2013. The handyman, Charles Ferdinand, had sustained a huge gash to the head and was hospitalized for over 48 hours.
Vendors said that the poor situation was due to the lack of concern on the part of those responsible for the maintenance for the Stabroek Market wharf. The market operators noted that persons are putting their lives at risk on a daily basis, in an effort to ply their trade by using that section of the market.
They had noted too that since there are no alternatives to the situation, numerous calls were made to the authorities to have the situation rectified.
The roof of the dock continued to hang dangerously loose, beams were broken and bent and vendors had expressed fear that at any moment, the entire section could come crashing down.
Mayor Hamilton Green had noted that the maintenance of the marketplaces is the direct responsibility of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) but owing to its current financial state, it has been difficult for the Council to source revenue to renovate the structure.
He said that the Council had made numerous attempts to raise funds to refurbish the area but the government had frustrated all its plans.
Yesterday he was unaware of the rehabilitation plans when Kaieteur News made contact for an update of the work to commence. The Mayor said that the little he knew was what was being said informally. He explained that the Town Clerk and the other government agencies were involved in the matter while the Mayor and Councilors are not privy to information.
Boat operators are however plying their trade the best way they can. The mooring of the Torani at the wharf has displaced the boats taking commuters from the city to the Vreed-en-Hoop stelling.
They told Kaieteur News that there is “confusion” since the vessel came into the area where the small boats usually awaited their turn to load. They said that the place where boats go to uplift the city passengers cannot accommodate the number of boats and they bump into each other getting in and out of the space.
Some boats have to moor far from the loading area as a result of the Torani mooring at the wharf.
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