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MAKING ILLEGAL VENDING LEGAL

Oct 13, 2015 Editorial, Features / Columnists

Illegal vending on the pavements on the busy streets and pavements in Georgetown has become a way of life in Guyana. Not only has illegal vending become one of the more upsetting problems for legal vendors and the authorities, it has also created a nightmare for pedestrians to get to their destinations safely.
For a while, there has been constant feuding between the authorities at City Hall and those vendors who sell on the pavements without permits. This is not new; it has been going on for years and there seems to be no end in sight. Neither the city authorities nor the APNU+ AFC coalition has found a solution to the problem.
In earlier times, there were fewer illegal vendors selling on the streets. They were largely confined to Georgetown, especially at Christmas time, but not anymore. Today, there is hardly a street in Georgetown without illegal vendors despite many attempts by the last administration to curtail the practice.
Recently, illegal vending spread to the outlying areas of Georgetown and to other towns and villages all across the country. It is now an all year activity from coast to coast. One of the reasons for the rapid increase in illegal vending is the scarcity of jobs which makes it difficult for parents to support their families.
In cases there is not enough space in the markets for the large number of vendors. Despite the tension between the illegal vendors and the authorities, it would be difficult for city officials to stop illegal vending altogether. Illegal vending will continue despite the fact that it has seriously affected the proper functioning of the city to maintain order.
However, tension has not only risen between the city authorities and illegal vendors, but also with the legal vendors who have paid their fees and taxes to operate lawfully. They understandably have felt cheated by the system because they have to compete with the illegal vendors for the same clientele.
They are also quite upset because illegal vendors do not pay fees and taxes, therefore they can sell their goods much cheaper than the legal vendors who have paid their dues. Also, illegal vendors attract the same customers who would have otherwise purchased from the legal vendors.
Vendors operating illegally on the pavements have their own gripes as well. Some claimed that paying the market and utility fees which are very high would leave them without a profit. Others contend that although they are trying to earn an honest living, they are being targeted and harassed by the authorities.
The truth is that illegal vending on the sidewalks is not only wrong, but it also affects the livelihood of the legal vendors and other business people who have paid their dues and have abided by the law.
It is in the interests of the city and the APNU+AFC government to create an orderly and efficient system that caters to the best interests of all the people. The coalition must end the disorderly approach to illegal vending on the streets and pavements.
Police and city officials have been complaining that vending on the sidewalks has hindered pedestrian traffic, affected sales in stores, created disorder and congestion, and have provided cover and easy getaway for shoplifters, armed robbers and other criminals.
A major problem is that the city lacks the capacity to provide enough market space to accommodate the large number of vendors.  This is probably why illegal vendors have breached the vending regulations and have decided to take to the sidewalks to sell their goods. The APNU+AFC government must reform the system and empower the local Municipalities to create adequate space and thus remove the illegal vendors from the streets. And the authorities should be held to account if that is not done.
However, when all is said and done, the government must reduce or end illegal vending in order for law and order to prevail.

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