Govt. threatens to take over city streets to curb roadside vending

Apr 13, 2022 News

Attorney General (AG), Anil Nandlall, S.C.

Kaieteur News – Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall SC., has accused the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of legitimising vending on State reserves.
He said vendors have been allowed to take over the streets, parapets and sidewalks for a small fee. To this end, the AG is warning the M&CC that if it fails to act on curbing this practice, the government will be forced to take control of the city streets. The AG’s comments come of government embarking on a series of visits to communities across the country. During one of the visits, Nandlall noted that while encumbering of state reserves is not limited to Georgetown, the issue is by far more widespread in the city. He therefore blamed the Georgetown Council for legitimising the practice by accepting a fee from persons for their continued occupation of the reserves.
“…While the Government is expending a tremendous amount of time and resources in trying to clean the city and its environs, a venture that the City Council has publicly refused to join hands on, they exacerbate the problem by licencing to create these public nuisances.” “We simply cannot continue in this way…The use of these roads causes serious traffic hazards, traffic congestions, and public inconvenience.” Nandlall said.

City Mayor, Ubraj Narine

Further, the AG noted that a number of stores on Regent Street have been forced to secure court orders against vending on the pavement in front of their commercial properties. “…and they (the vendor) also affect private proprietors from accessing and enjoying the use and benefits of their properties,” Nandlall stated, adding that “…if this state of affairs is not addressed by the City Council, the Government will be forced to act including taking over some of these city streets under The Roads Act”.
The AG also noted that the issue of street vending is a countrywide problem in most communities. As such, he said that Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) across the country have been advised to remove these encumbrances and institute criminal charges if necessary. To this end Nandlall said, “While the Government recognises that these vendors are earning a living and in that respect is empathic, they cannot continue to do so in a manner that causes public disorder, and creates a public nuisance. The laws must be enforced to ensure an orderly society.”
However, the AG’s statement was taken in strides as Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine expressed concerns that the stance of the government can foment the already strained relations in the city. In a statement issued on Tuesday Narine noted “The Municipality continues its efforts to provide an avenue for legitimate business to be conducted in the city. Vending is one form that has served the City for decades. Vendors provide economic services to the City and provide income for families. All legitimate vendors pay a fee to the Municipality and commit to clean up before and after business”
Mayor Narine urged the AG not to cherry pick issues pointing out that there are a number of issues affecting the citizenry. “The challenge of outstanding taxes owed by Government agencies continues to plague the Municipality. The Council despite its best attempts is starved of resources by the Government and some state departments,” the Mayor said in his statement.

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