Fight against illegal vending in Charity continues

May 31, 2019 News

Illegal vending has been an issue plaguing the Charity Community, Essequibo Coast for a number of years now.

The Charity waterfront

The local authorities of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council [NDC] have struggled to maintain order along the Charity river defense. As of recent, however, the Regional Democratic Council [RDC] has been making effort to address this issue.
This publication understands that apart from traffic congestions, a number of drains have become silted since the NDC is unable to clean beneath the stalls erected over the drains.
Following the construction of a mini-koker in February, a number of vendors, who allegedly have been illegally occupying the river defense, were relocated. Some attempted to reconstruct their stalls within the same area, but were given stern warning.
Regional Executive Officer, Dennis Jaikaran, said to vendors earlier this month that any construction of stalls on the river defense will be considered an illegal act.
He added, “The notice has been given; the project is to be done within three weeks, the contractor is not behind time but we are going to consider the construction of any structure along the river defense an illegal act. When completed we will be doing desilting.”
According to Jaikaran, the river defense has been identified for special work to be done in the interest of Regional and National development, every stall being constructed now is being illegal.
The REO also emphasized the need for order to be maintained, especially as construction of the Mini-Koker continues.
“Once the contractor is here we will not pay anyone for any damage done here. There was no application nor was an approval granted for the construction of stands on the river defense… This area will eventually undergo similar works like the Supenaam riverfront.”
Kaieteur News understands that there is a designated market area for vending in Charity, which for some reason is hardly occupied.
Jaikaran cited the importance of the NDC’s participation in the maintenance of order.
“I hope that the NDC will play an active role and be firm. It must not take side and give one corner support. We will have to work together for development. The notice that no one should vend on the river defense is from Public Infrastructure. River defense simply means from where the water mark is 100 ft. away is sea defense.”

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