OVER the last few years, there has been a developing culture of “wholesale” roadside vending, Transport Minister, Robeson Benn noted while addressing residents of Region 3 recently. The minister pointed out that vending is creating a significant social problem for those persons who are licensed and pay their duties and taxes, mostly business operators who have to contend with persons vending in front of their place of business.
On the issue of persons vending along the reserves, roadways and other prohibited places there must be some deeper explanation. According to Minister Benn for persons to able to perform the illegal acts of vending on reserves and other places without being removed and being able to produce receipts of payments for vending ‘somebody has to be winking and blinking’.
UNDERHAND BUSINESS
Benn said that it has to be some underhand businesses in operation as it relates to the provision for persons to be selling on the government reserves without being removed or whenever they are removed, they find themselves back at the very spots.
Somebody has to be blinking at some stage, the minister told a gathering, but he stopped short of saying that persons are being paid to allow the vendors to vend at locations where they are prohibited.
He added that in some cases there are those who behave like the “village ram goats” who believe that they are irremovable and cannot be touched by anyone.
Another reason for the presence of vendors on the reserves and in front of the business places of persons have to do with complicity, it was also noted.
The business community in the region and residents suggested that a committee should be set up to deal with the issue of vending in Region 3.
The composition of the committee, it was suggested, should also have representatives from the Ministries of Local Government and Public Works, police, magistracy, business community and the regional administration. Minister Benn gave the suggestion a nod.
The minister said that the issue of vending has reached such a stage that persons who can do better and be involved in other activities to make money are taking advantage of the situation. He pointed out there are startup businesses which will appear from time to time and they are urging the operators of those businesses to tow the line with respect to the vending issues.
It was also suggested that persons should pay to vend and for the removal of litter that appear around their vending site. In addition there should be a system in place to ensure that those who vend do so in accordance with the guidelines and should not hamper the flow of pedestrians on pavements and traffic on the roadways.
