Buxton on the rise

Nov 11, 2025 Letters

Dear Editor,

Buxton has come a long way and I am so happy that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic has plans to make things even better for the villagers. According to what I just read, the PPP/C is embarking on a market tarmac that will be constructed within the vicinity of the Buxton-Foulis Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC). As we all know, street vending activities are not the way to go, as they negatively affect commercial spaces as they sell similar goods, while also hindering access to many buildings.

The activities also lead to increase in criminal activities that hide among the chaos. The traders also litter and dump waste on the road. This outlook may not characterise Buxton, but it is good to ‘prevent than cure,’ when thinking about a project like this. I add that buying from vendors on that Railway Embankment is risky, as vehicular traffic never ceases in that place. Buxton is always busy. It is a nice hot spot for so many people from surrounding villages.

The details from the government are that “The initiative, which is being developed, is expected to be aesthetically pleasing for the vendors and as such, a proposed design for stalls will be shared with the vendors. The new tarmac will also be outfitted with amenities including washroom facilities and proper lighting.” This is really a big step-up as the norm is that roadside vending is rife with significant risks, including serious health hazards from foodborne illnesses and air pollution, along with physical and legal dangers. These dangers affect both vendors and consumers, so it is a win-win situation for all.

By the way, this tarmac realisation is to facilitate the completion of the ongoing road works in the area, and the word from the Ministry of Public Works is that the new tarmac is expected to be completed within three weeks and in the interim, vendors are allowed to ply their trade in their current location.

Editor, Guyana must move onward and upward, and road building and maintenance will always be ongoing. Then as it relates to the ‘street vending’ culture, it is good that it is not being jettisoned. But it can be upgraded and I say this because with roadside vending, especially with food, there is a high risk of foodborne illnesses, such as diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid fever, and general food poisoning. Thus Guyana must eliminate contributing factors such as: Poor Hygiene and Sanitation (Many vendors lack access to potable water, handwashing facilities, and proper waste disposal systems, as utensils may be washed in dirty, standing water, and vendors may not follow basic hygiene practices; Contamination: Food is often exposed to flies, dust, animals, and other environmental contaminants; Cross-contamination can occur from unwashed hands or shared equipment; Improper Food Handling and Storage: Food is often prepared long before consumption, stored at ambient temperatures, and inadequately reheated, all of which encourage bacterial growth and toxin production.

Editor, I can add even more reasons for going the intended route, but suffice to say, Guyana is now a global player, and in every domain, there must be the movement towards what obtains at the highest level. In the end, both vendors and consumers will benefit.

Yours truly,
Hargesh B. Singh

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Buxton, Hargesh B. Singh, NDC, PPP/C

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