Is it not time that the authorities take serious action against illegitimate business?

Jan 06, 2021 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

Please permit me some space in your newspaper to appeal to the powers that be that they should consider setting up a hot line for persons to call to report on ‘rogue operations’ that violate the pandemic restrictions and curfew.
The government has shown great leadership in its robust response to the Covid-19 pandemic and should be commended for its dynamism spearheaded by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health and other high-level government officials.
The government in its zeal to protect Guyanese from being infected by the virus has distributed free masks to thousands of Guyanese, encouraged the washing of hands, social distancing and has imposed a curfew for night clubs and restaurants.
Admittedly, most legitimate night clubs and liquor restaurants in the city are adhering to government restrictions and to the imposed curfew.
But despite our government’s strenuous efforts to curb the spread of the virus by imposing a curfew on certain non-essential businesses, a few rogue ‘business places’ consistently violate, among other things, the 11:00 p.m. curfew in pursuit of making ‘a dollar’. These ‘rogue business places’ apparently don’t pay any taxes and they get away with it.
Take the case of the ‘hole-in-the-wall’- literally, a hole in the wall – ‘shoe-box’ size so-called ‘business’ operation at Bourda. This supposed ‘business operation’ which is apparently a ‘food and liquor business’ is, as far as I know, run by a set of Venezuelans and consistently violates the 11:00 p.m. curfew.
Contrast that with a legitimately established Brazilian night club immediately to the left side of this ‘knock-up’ liquor place. As far as I know, the Brazilian night club has an official liquor licence to run a bar and restaurant, they adhere to the curfew, social distancing and the wearing of masks. In fact, they have remained closed during the entire nine months since the pandemic started. In other words, they have shown a sense of business responsibility to Guyanese society.
The ‘make-shift’ Venezuelan owned operation on the other hand, raises a number of questions. First off, the owners of this ‘business’ have set up an apparently permanent ‘structure’ – a tarpaulin and sticks ‘shed’- what we Guyanese would call a ‘cow-shed’ – attached to the front of an unoccupied house which serves as the ‘serving’ area for their customers. The question is: Have the owners gotten permission from the Mayor and City Council to do so? Are they not in violation of the city’s bylaws?
Also, does this ‘hole-in-the-wall’ operation have a licence to sell food and liquor? This ‘make-shift’ shed serves as a ‘hang-out’ for all and sundry. In fact, it is a hot-bed for spreading the virus. Neither the owner and others involved and their customers wear masks, wash their hands and maintain social distancing and adhere to the 11:00 p.m. curfew.
In fact, neighbours on the block are subjected every single night to ‘loud and persistent’ music till the wee hours of the morning not to mention the vulgar and coarse behaviour of its patrons under the influence of alcohol. Persons living on the same block with the ‘bar’ have been complaining about the noise nuisance but apparently the authorities so far have taken no action. Complaining to the Alberttown Police Station has proven over the years to be ineffective.
Is it not time now that the authorities take serious action against illegitimate business operations? If not now, when?

Respectfully,
Concerned Citizen

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