65 vendors agree to relocation as WCD Road Project progresses

Jun 11, 2016 News

Vendors from Vreed-en-Hoop have agreed to relocate to facilitate the West Coast Demerara Road Improvement Project, following discussions with Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson.

Some stalls located at the Vreed-en-Hoop market.

Minister Ferguson met with the vendors Thursday afternoon at the Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School to discuss a way forward.
She was accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, the Ministry of Finance and the Region Three Democratic Council.
According to the Ministry, during the interactive session, it was emphasised that the project was one that would ultimately benefit the entire community, particularly its economic wellbeing through the provision of farm-to-market accesses. Furthermore, it was relayed by Project Coordinator, Kester Hinds, that the US$44M project is the largest infrastructural development to ever be undertaken in Region 3.
However, for the project to be successfully completed, the 65 vendors from Vreed-en-Hoop would have to temporarily relocate since their current location is in the direct path of the proposed road.
As part of the contract, the technical specifications must be adhered to and are unchangeable.

Attendees during the meeting Thursday to discuss the relocation of vendors to facilitate the WCD Road Improvement Project.

“It was highlighted during the discussion that a failure to move forward with the project as stipulated in its contract could lead to heavy financial repercussions for Guyana from the loan agency, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB),” the Ministry explained.
Finance Secretary, Dr. Hector Butts, explained the ramifications of the loan agreement to the vendors and stated that the loan comes with interest that “grows, whether construction goes on or not.”
However, Minister Ferguson emphasised that the goal was not to “come in like a thief in the night” and remove the vendors. Rather, she said, the vendors had a say in their alternative short and long term options, and on the way forward.
“We are here to listen and to find solutions, not to strong-arm you,” Minister Ferguson stressed while urging the vendors to present options that might not have been previously considered by officials. Two possible locations were also put forward to the vendors for their consideration.
In response, the vendors expressed understanding at their relocation but said that one of the proposed sites is untenable. This site is located in an area known as Phoenix Park in Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara. According to the vendors, it is a “dead zone”.
“No customer is going to want to go there; it is not a catchment area,” one vendor said.
Another added, “People would prefer to take the speedboat to Georgetown than to travel to that location.”
The vendors also stressed their calls for the use of the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling as the relocation site. However, they were informed that this area is currently earmarked for development into a waterfront facility through funding by the United Kingdom Government and would therefore be unavailable.
At the end of the discussion, two sites located right in Vreed-en-Hoop were proposed by the vendors and agreed upon.
The 65 vendors will be split between the two locations and are expected to be relocated as soon as Monday.
The project, which began in Hydronie and stretches to Vreed-en-Hoop, covers approximately 30.7 kilometres of road and is primarily financed by the CDB.
Works will include pavement rehabilitation; installation of traffic signs and road markings; provision of additional streetlights; construction of concrete drains; and the relocation of utilities.