‘PLYWOOD WALLS, NO NOTICE’: Stabroek Market vendors cry foul as Govt. blocks them for beautification project

Nov 28, 2025 News

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(Kaieteur News) – A beautification project spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development at the Stabroek Market Square has sparked tension as vendors say they were blindsided by the initiative, which they fear will affect their Christmas sales.

One vendor, Ms. Osborne, said when she arrived on Thursday morning to ply her trade, she was confronted by tall plyboard walls erected around the Stabroek Market tarmac. She recounted that after approaching the contractor, he told her they were carrying out a project for the ministry.

“We were not informed by no government minister, the constable… nobody told us anything that we got to move from here, or nothing. They just come just so and they just operate this morning…” she said.

The woman said that Minister Priya Manickchand had visited two weeks earlier and told them she intended to beautify the area. “She did not say that she moving us or anything, she said she giving us stall and that was about it…” she noted.

“I told them I am not moving from here, I got me children them to send to school, I got installments to pay, I got box hand to pay…so I want to know what’s the next move for we as vendors,” she said.

Vendor Corwin Baksh, who has been in the business for 25 years said, “I real upset too…last two weeks they went out here and keep meeting. Wam this morning? Why they can’t come back and say something bout we? We is vendors, we doing small business all them years now we getting problem with this government. It aint supposed to happening like this.”

“We got children to feed and family, Priya Manickchand come and talk to me a month ago, she said the place lil dirty, we say man we gotta get bins to keep this place clean, they bring the bins, we see improvement…we aint getting problem with the bins them no more,” he added.

While he welcomed the development, Baksh said the project should have been implemented with proper notice, especially during the peak Christmas season.

Another vendor, who sells mobile credit, criticised the absence of communication. “I just come out to take my daughter to school and this is what I come to, not even a notice not even a nothing, how Priya could work like that…people gah live is Christmas time…” she said.

Another vendor added, “this is very ridiculous, I have bills to pay and if I can’t sell what gon really happen…January they could do it, they can’t do it now people invest a lot of money to do their business out here and it’s not fair to invest now Christmas time and they didn’t even notify people, well this thing gon happen so people won’t invest their money…”

Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore, speaking to reporters on Thursday said he was only aware of the displacement via media reports. While he supports people being able to earn, he expressed concern about the implementation of the project without prior notice.

He said the concept of a beautified Stabroek Square and Christmas tree was presented to the council, but “the implementation particularly without notification, is what I have a problem with and the timing… at Christmas time to be able to have this done.”

Mentore said he is now working to determine how many vendors are affected and how they can be accommodated. “If it is that this development has to be suspended, we will have to do so,” he stated.

Mentore said he was troubled that works began during the night without allowing city authorities to notify vendors. “I am uncomfortable as the mayor, understanding what is happening here and I will have the necessary discussions with the Ministry of Local Government…so we can find a common ground and find a way in which we can address this issue,” he said.

He acknowledged the vendors’ concerns, adding, “It’s my responsibility to be able to find, the most compromising arrangement so that I can address this issue moving forward.”

In a Facebook post on Thursday morning, Minister Manickchand contended that no vendors are being displaced, and the works are being carried out only in areas where vending does not currently occur.

She said, “The Ministry of Local Government is beautifying the Stabroek area by creating a space similar to the space opposite Parliament Buildings that will be wholly accessible to the public, including vendors, shoppers and commuters. The floor will be raised, park benches will be put down, decorations will go up and a space for artistes to perform will be available. To be clear, NO vendor is being moved from the Stabroek Market area at this point and for this reason.”

However, Thursday night, Minister Manickchand in follow-up statement on her Facebook page said that she visited the Stabroek Market vendors “who understand what is about to happen but had justified reservations because of miscommunication and because opportunists looking for some relevance and relying on the ever-old bigoted language, tried to stoke divisions.”

On Thursday also, the Ministry of Local Government issued a statement defending the project and detailing prior engagements. The ministry said that Mayor Mentore and several city councillors were shown a video of what the Stabroek Square would look like and what that would entail and involve. The ministry said the council’s response was, “lovely, lovely. This is what is needed.”

The ministry added that the concept was also shared at a public engagement with stakeholders and noted, “We understand and acknowledge that the erection of the ply board around the area may have caused some alarm, but we are advised that this is necessary for the safety of those in the vicinity and is common practice when civil works of this nature is ongoing.”

According to the ministry, the construction will finish in under two weeks and despite several vendors complaining of being displaced, “We are further advised that two vendors could be displaced temporarily by this construction and instructions have been given that will minimize that effect.”

It was also stated that the ministry will also engage those vendors directly.  “We ask that parties external to this process not be opportunistic and stoke divisions for narrow political gain. At the end of this process will be a place where vendors, shoppers and commuters alike will benefit. Where families and children, tourists and artistes, can enjoy their shopping experience and where more sales are likely to happen. Toward an improved Stabroek Square,” it was stated.

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• beautification project, Priya Manickchand, Stabroek Market, vendors

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