Latest update April 4th, 2025 12:14 AM
Stop harassment of small business hustlers
DEAR EDITOR,
After seeing a video on Facebook of a young single parent being harassed at the Bartica stelling, I ask that you help publish this ridiculous act by the Bartica stelling authorities and members of the Guyana Police Service. The video clearly showed that she had two small boxes of fish worth four thousand dollars and is asked to pay 4,000 dollars landing fee. I was told that her two boxes of fish were kept at the police station and released till 5 o’clock that afternoon.
This issue raises a popular trend of harassment meted out to small hustlers who seek to eke out a daily bread. It is no secret that government has been making strides in infrastructure, health, education etc. On the question of job creation, it is woefully lacking. Worst of all, to have people like this young lady with her fish, the plantain chip vendor with a little tray , the roadside vendor with 2 cases of water, a little 10 x 10 bottom house wood shop, and the list goes on, being harassed to extract more money out of a barely survival mode, is unconscionable and wholly unaccepted.
I listened carefully to Finance Minister, Hon Winston Jordan’s budget speech and was quiet impressed with all the goodies he spoke about and nurturing small businesses. My mind quickly raced to a popular verse in a Bob Marley song which said “the biggest man was once a baby in this life”.
Today, the story of Banks D.I.H, Gafoors Ltd. and Toolsie Persaud Ltd. are just a few who were once babies. If we are to truly develop this country, we need not confrontation, harassment or any other act killing ideas and dreams. Every government institution, be it GPL, GWI, GRA and all the ministries must recognize a facilitating role, even if is plantain chip we talking about.
I hope this letter catches the attention of all the relevant authorities. I hope to see specific instructions being given not to harass these small business or individuals. I hope we can see a change of attitude in the enforcement agencies and a more facilitating and polite approach to handle disputes. I am looking forward with every confidence in this government taking all the necessary steps to facilitate the small man to become a big man.
Yours Sincerely
C. Woolford
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