Illegal street vending is a serious problem affecting many cities around the world and has also proved to be a challenge for municipal authorities the world over, despite the enactment of legislation outlawing this practice.

Manhattan Borough President, Scott M. Stringer has some interesting observations on this subject: “The proper role and regulation of street vendors pose a special challenge. With tourism increasing, the World Trade Centre area has been overrun by a large number of street seeking tourist dollars by selling memorabilia, photographs, food, and counterfeit goods.”

“Lawful street vending is an important part of New York City’s history and economy, provides job opportunities for workers, and is permitted in many neighborhoods.

Vending in the area surrounding the World Trade Centre is prohibited by State law. Yet, despite the prohibition, illegal vending has become one of the top quality of life complaints of Lower Manhattan’s residents and businesses. In addition to dishonoring the sanctity of the site, the sidewalk obstructions caused by illegal vending makes life very difficult for the area’s struggling small businesses and residents, who stayed Downtown after 9/11 and who are already inconvenienced by the prevalence of construction and street closures.”

“Street vending is an important and valuable part of New York City’s cultural and economic life.”

“From the African American peddlers of the 1860s to the Italian and Jewish merchants of the 1920s, street vending is deeply rooted in New York City’s culture and history. Street vending continues to offer a viable source of income, particularly for immigrants without work permits. Some have estimated that hundreds of millions of dollars worth of goods are sold on city streets annually.

”Here in Georgetown, illegal street vending has become a norm over the years with very little being done by the municipal authorities to curb this practice and as a result the problem has grown to the point where the authorities are finding it extremely difficult to handle.

This situation has led to many avenues and pavements, built for use by pedestrians, no longer serving that purpose but rather providing space for illegal vendors. In addition, there is congestion and chaos in many parts of the city and of course the aggravation of the garbage disposal problem which is already overwhelming.

Legal vendors also have unsuccessfully complained about the unfair competition.

However, the recent announcement by the City Council that the new vendors’ mall on Water Street will become functional provides some hope that the current chaos and unsightly situation around the Stabroek market would bring some degree of relief. One would also hope that this is a first step in curbing the escalating illegal street vending in Georgetown

According to Clerk of Markets, Mr. Schulder Griffith, the City Constabulary has started a campaign to clear the pavements of itinerant vendors who offer unfair competition to stall holders. He said such vendors do not pay revenue to the City Council; hence it is unfair for them to be in front the stallholders offering the same goods and services.

This is encouraging news but one would hope that the City Council would deliver on this score as in the past there have been many similar assurances given but the situation remained the same and in some areas actually worsened.

Restoration of law and order in the City should be priority of the authorities if they are truly committed to having our capital in a state that all Guyanese can be proud of. Shifting blame and finding all manner of excuses is not the way to go. The way to go is getting the job done by finding appropriate solutions and implementing them in an efficient and effective manner.