THE official re-opening of the once thriving Stelling View Market, in the vicinity of Stabroek Market in Georgetown, has been delayed once again and is now expected to take place in December.
In a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, Clerk of Markets Schulder Griffith said that a number of setbacks were encountered and the October target date given earlier this year could not be met.
Griffith said the Markets’ Division of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of Georgetown, has however been making some progress.
He pointed out that the project is not being financed by the M&CC, due to its present cash-strapped position, and so there is need for some assistance from private individuals and prospective stallholders.
The Markets’ Division is also trying to secure the assistance of the Ministry of Public Works which had indicated that it would come on board to have the floor of the market done.
The benab, “a new style of stall” in the middle of the market that will be packed with fruits and vegetables, has already been completed, Griffith reported.
The official remarked that the underlying cause for the delay is a shortage of funds and hence the department is trying to source more.
According to him, stallholders are also “keeping one foot in and one foot out,” meaning that they are holding back from completing their stalls inside the new market while continuing to vend at their present locations.
It was only after the Markets’ Division became tough on them and threatened to give their spots to others that they started working again on their stalls.
Replicating the transformation that has become the New Vendors Mall on Water Street, where 180 sellers taken off the streets were placed, the Stelling View Market will accommodate 53 more.
Stallholders at Stelling View will erect their respective stalls at their own expense, but according to specifications, under the guidance of the Markets’ Division, Griffith pointed out, adding that toilet facilities will be provided and prospective stallholders have already agreed to maintain them.
Standpipes have been installed and more amenities are to be put in place. Some of the businesses that will be located there include boutiques, barber shops, salons and haberdasheries.
The stalls will be built around the fenced area and a huge benab will house fruits, vegetables and ground provision sellers.
Griffith recalled that Stelling View was a thriving market years ago; but, for some reason, those who occupied it were allowed to go back to Water Street and others followed. The restoration project started last January.