– President tells city vendors at fruitful meeting
“Long live the President” were the remarks of city vendors after a satisfactory meeting with President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday that ended with an assurance that their main form of livelihood will continue, but with the maintenance of order and decency.
The meeting, which also included Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee and Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn, followed a request by the vendors after expressing concerns about not being allowed to engage in their only form of livelihood.
On January 5, a demolition campaign on several illegal stalls in the Stabroek Market area was undertaken after a grenade blast in the area that claimed one life and injured 19 others.
President Jagdeo said in a comment yesterday that the circumstances and rationale behind the grenade explosion are still to be ascertained, but assured that every effort will be made to ensure answers are found.
“I’m very concerned about public safety and my sympathy goes to all of the people who are injured and some are still in hospital,” President Jagdeo said.
Concerns about criminality and illegal activities in the Stabroek Market area have for long been hovering and have since led to the brokering of an agreement between the Ministry of Local Government and vendors and the city council for order there.
Among aspects of the agreement were the use of collapsible stalls and 18:00hrs as the vending curfew, among other set rules and regulations.
Over time, however, these regulations were breached and at yesterday’s meeting President Jagdeo called for a reactivation of the rules.
“When I met with the vendors today I said to them that we are not retreating from this. We have to ensure that we clean up the area, bring back law and order; and we stop the illegal activities there, but I also said to them that I want to ensure that they continue to earn a living.”
A meeting is scheduled between vendors and the relevant government officials at the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development today to revisit the pact and work collectively on its enforcement.
President Jagdeo reiterated, however, that part of the enforcement plan will include the removal of fixed structures which are known for harbouring unsavory elements.
“We are definitely moving ahead to ensure that we bring some greater sense of law and order, spruce up the city… by the end of the month we are hoping to stop dumping in the city… we are spending some US$13M to do that,” President Jagdeo said.
He noted however that “my primary concern is to ensure that we balance law and order with the ability of people to earn a living.”
The vendors were overjoyed by the news and told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the arrangement is workable and hailed the President for his empathy with their situation as they try to earn a decent living.
Arlene Anson said vending is the only means by which she can sustain her children and pay her bills, and was relieved by the way in which the President intervened yesterday. She assured that she will be abiding by the stipulated rules.
Sebastian Williams, another vendor, said meeting the President was the best option. (GINA)