GEORGETOWN Mayor, Ubraj Narine, promised vendors on Wednesday to implement a “Vendors Day”, which would be held one day in every month and will be dedicated to him meeting with them and listening to their concerns.

Dozens of vendors from all across Georgetown on Wednesday turned up to a meeting at City Hall that was organised for them to meet with the mayor, councillors, and senior officers of the City Council.

The mayor meets with members of the public weekly, on every Thursday, but said he may now need to set aside one more day in the month to meet with the vendors only. His undertaking came right after one vendor complained that each time she turns up at City Hall to meet him, she is told that he is not there or cannot see him at that moment.

One of the issues raised was that of the wholesalers and retailers selling together at the same time. The laws governing such vending dictate that the wholesalers must leave at a certain time to allow for the retailers to conduct business.

Neil Rankin, a vendor who operates on Longden Street, complained about the practice of store owners to place their goods in front of the stores, which makes it difficult for him and other vendors to carry out their trade.
Eslin (only name given) vends outside of Demico House on the car/bus park and she complained that of everyone vending out there, she is the only person who has a garbage receptacle.

ALWAYS VEX
She also took umbrage at the manner in which the revenue collector approaches her and other vendors to collect payments. “She comes with revenue please! Not even a ‘Morning’; like she vex. She gotta come better than that,” Eslin complained.

Another vendor from the “Farmers’ Market”, asked the officers to verify if it is within the law for the Constabulary officers to charge them higher fees on holidays. He explained that two weeks into the New Year, he was still being charged higher vending rates. It is for this very reason that his scale was taken away, and to date, it has not been returned to him.
Another vendor complained about the attitude of store owners, saying: “They’re not even Guyanese. They coming and take away all we money and take it away to China.” Responding to this complaint, Mayor Narine urged the vendor to take this issue up with the Consumers Affairs Bureau.
The mayor said the City Council is prepared to honour its obligations to the vendors, and he asked the vendors to do likewise. “We’re working to get things in order for you. We’re working,” he said.

WARNING

He reminded them that they too will be charged if they are caught giving bribes to officers. “If we find you giving bribes, we will charge you and suspend you from selling. You will be part of the corruption.”
Mayor Narine pointed out that since he took office six months ago, he is proud of the fact that he has never taken a bribe. “I’ve never taken even a bottle of water from people on the road. People came to this office (to offer bribes)….and I chased them. Don’t come to the mayor for any bribery or corruption. I will have you arrested immediately,” he cautioned.
He urged that the vendors who operate on the Stabroek Market Wharf should cease such operations in view of the dangers existing there. “It is very dangerous. You can be in serious problems. You don’t know when the roof or something can fall.”

Deputy Mayor, Alfred Mentore, offered that the City Council will have to look into calling a meeting with store owners as well, since they are also responsible for the mayhem in the City.

Chairman of the Markets and Public Health Committee, Councillor Trichria Richards, told the vendors that the City Council’s vision includes ensuring that each vendor has a roof over his/her head in line with President David Granger’s recommendation back in 2016.

She urged them to get registered with the City Council so that they can be recognised as vendors in the City.

Other officers who were present at the meeting included Town Clerk (Ag), Sharon Harry; Deputy Town Clerk (Ag), Sherry Jerrick and Councillors Denroy Tudor, Shonelle Smith-Daniels, Yvonne Ferguson and Heston Bostwick.