– Minister Lall
MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development Mr. Kellawan Lall yesterday refuted an article in the Sunday Stabroek News of September 19 last in which the newspaper alleges that officials from the Ministries of Public Works and Local Government and Regional Development were ‘no shows’ at a meeting with Charity vendors, on Thursday last.

According to Minister Lall, the meeting was organized by the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and the Local Government Department of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Region Two. At no time was a representative from the Ministry in Georgetown invited to be present at the meeting, Minister Lall said.
However, the Minister said  officials from the local government department were present at the meeting.
Government is fully aware of the problem, he said, and pointed to visits by both himself and Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Mr. Robeson Benn, in attempts to remedy the situation.
Minister Lall noted that owing to the aggression of the vendors, a decision was taken to re-evaluate the situation to see how the matter can be satisfactorily addressed for all concerned.
The Minister said the vendors’ concerns about the installation of utilities will be addressed subsequent to their occupation, as the necessary finances present themselves.
There is no question though, that the vendors need to move into their new facility, Minister Lall said. He noted that their current location on the roadside presents problems for standing businesses and residences.
Pointing to the commercial progress in the Region, the construction of a multi-million-dollar shopping mall, Minister Lall said regularisation in this regard is necessary.
The Minister said another visit to the area is planned, as part of the Ministry’s outreach programme.
The Charity market square tarmac was completed in 2009 at a cost of $21M. (GINA)