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Vreed-en-Hoop roadside vendors reject removal notice from NDC
(Kaieteur News) – Long-time vendors operating at the Vreed-en-Hoop junction, West Bank Demerara, have refused to vacate their stalls despite receiving removal notices from the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).
Vendors of the Vreed-en-Hoop junction
The vendors were informed through a letter, seen by this publication, that they were required to remove all stalls and “illegal structures” from the government reserve within three days of receiving the notice, which was issued on Wednesday.
According to the letter, failure to comply would result in necessary actions being taken against them by the council. However, by Friday, vendors were still at the junction, continuing their business operations.
The vendors expressed frustration, stating that the three-day notice was unreasonable as the market is their primary source of income and the location is close to their homes. Many explained that they have been trading at the junction for decades and have nowhere else to go. The area hosts a large group of vendors who sell a wide variety of items including food, fruits, vegetables, clothing, household utilities, and other essentials.
On Thursday morning, several vendors gathered at the location to voice their complaints and appeal for understanding. One vendor stated, “We got permission from the APNU government to sell here. Five years PPP went in power and they didn’t tell us anything. Now only recently they gone back in power and telling us to break and move, that is unfair. We can’t move in three days!”
A vendor’s stall selling a variety of clothing
Another vendor, identified as Joel Stephen, said, “I have been a vendor at the Vreed-en-Hoop stelling and last month they gave us a notice to clean the drain. I paid $50,000 to clean it yesterday, and now they’re telling us we have to move in three days. I’m a single parent; my rent is $50,000, my light bill is $27,000, and I have to pay water. My son is disabled, and I have to look him after and I have children to feed so this business helps me to keep an eye on him and hustle at the same time so that I can afford to look after my children. I would like for someone to look into this because next month is Christmas so what are we supposed to do with all these goods,” she said.
Another vendor, Curdey, also voiced concerns about the short notice, explaining how it would severely impact her livelihood. “I have been a vendor here for over 27 years, and I already stocked up for the holiday. To leave now would be really hard. We can’t move in three days,” she said.
A vendor who has been selling at the junction for 20 years added, “…they said they would go in power for poor people. What poor people will do in this country? Will we go hungry or beg? We need help, especially at this time for Christmas,” she cried.
Another stall with a variety of food
Toya Griffith, another affected vendor, explained, “I have five children that I’m sending to school. I have my business up the road, and that is my income for the month. Just like what the government did at Leonora, they can do the same at Vreed-en-Hoop and fix up the area nicely. You can’t give we a three-day notice and expect that we gon move, where would we move? How am I sending my children them to school?”
Dory McLaren, also a single mother, expressed similar concerns. “I feel bad because I already invested in my goods for Christmas. I would like them to look into this matter. They are putting single mothers out of business,” she said.
Efforts to contact the Region Three Chairperson, Sheik Ayube, for a comment on the issue proved futile.
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