ALTHOUGH there have been many significant aspects of development in Berbice, all of which have been greatly appreciated by Berbicians, a few vendors at the Port Mourant Market, Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne) have expressed some unease at the facility.

The market used to be held at the shoulder of the public road, at the current location, but about four years ago, Government in an effort to ensure the safety of vendors and to make their operations uniform, built an enclosed market following consultation with stakeholders.
The vendors say although the market is close to the Port Mourant Public Road and notwithstanding a big sign on top of it, which is visible to all motorists and passersby, the market being enclosed has resulted in a slowdown of business.
Prior to the construction, vendors told this publication that business was brighter as motorists and passersby were able to see the items on display and make their purchases.
Nowadays, vendor Uttrawattie Kanhai said motorists rarely stop to buy at the market, pointing out too that since the new facility was constructed, a number of vendors migrated to the Rose Hall Market.
The Guyana Chronicle enquired if the migration is not an advantage to her since there are less competitors, but the greens and provision vendor said “not really”, noting that while the market opens at around 14:00hrs and closes at 19:00hrs on the weekdays, on average, not more than 10 persons come to buy on any day during that period.
Apart from attracting fewer customers, before the market was built, business was always brighter at Rose Hall as it is a bustling town.
During the 40-minute conversation with the jovial mother of three, there were six buyers and most of the stalls were not opened.
According to Kanhai, she makes around $1,200 in profit every day from Monday to Friday, which is far less than what she used to earn when the market was not enclosed.
She said the amount was about $5,000 and $10,000 to $15,000 on Saturday. Today, the mother of grown children said she prays for Saturday to come as it is the biggest market day in the week.
Kanhai related that she makes $10,000 to $12,000 in profit on that day. The Rose Hall Market does not open on Saturdays, and according to the greens and provision vendor, some persons from the town come to shop at the Port Mourant facility.
The Guyana Chronicle tried to solicit the views of other vendors but they declined to speak, but thereof those who did requested anonymity.

ADVERTISING SIGNS

They expressed similar views to Kanhai, and when asked what can be done to address the shortcomings of the enclosed market, they suggested that the local authorities aside from collecting taxes, should vigorously promote the market in communities.
They also suggested that advertising signs be placed on the building to catch the attention of drivers and passersby who for years are accustomed to buying at the roadside, rather than in an enclosed market.
This, they contend, will be of significant help, pointing out that though the Rose Hall Market is enclosed, some vending still happens outside the facility.
Taking the market out of the picture, the vendors say there is need for more large-scale enterprises in Berbice, more particularly in the area of agro-processing since the county is primarily a farming region.
AGRO-PROCESSING
Cheap energy is vital to the sustenance of agro-processing enterprises, and in recognition of this, the Government has been pushing for the realisation of the Amaila Falls Project, which will enable energy to be produced at a lower cost.
However, the project was voted down by the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which had a one-seat majority in the 10th Parliament.
Both the AFC and APNU which had promised to provide hydro power in their respective manifestos in 2011, claimed that the project is corrupt, but the Government has rejected this assertion, contending that the move was to block and frustrate its developmental agenda.
Youths, the vendors say, should also be encouraged and assisted to get involved in micro-enterprises.
The creation of more large-scale businesses and micro-enterprises, they say, will gel with the Government’s developmental agenda, but more importantly, it will ease youth unemployment and their involvement in crime.
The Government is hoping that with the coming on stream of the Amaila Project, more manufacturing industries will be birthed, thereby creating more employment opportunities.
SUPPORTING PPP/C
But despite their complaints, the vendors say that they will be giving their support to the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). Some of them said that they will be going this route since the combined Opposition, especially the AFC, did not effect any meaningful change to improve their lives since the last elections.
Photo saved as vendor

By Tajeram Mohabir