Senior members  of the  Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry  and Private Sector Commission  yesterday visited the Stabroek Market Square to assess the situation there and to listen to vendors’ complaints. Among those present  in the area were President of  the Private Sector Commission, Komal Ramnauth; Senior Vice President , Eon Caesar; and  Executive Director, Ramesh  Dookhoo.
According to  Ramnauth, the exercise was aimed at finding  a cordial solution to the problems of the vendors  and other persons affected by the removal exercise  carried out  by the Ministry of Public Works and  Communication in collaboration with City Hall.
Ramnauth said, “We wanted to walk around  and  to get a feel  for ourselves of what is happening  and to hear the responses of the persons  most affected by the removal exercise.”
After speaking to several persons,  a meeting has been arranged between the Commisssion and several of the vendors, set for Thursday.
“ We have agreed to meet with the people who are affected, especially the taxi drivers who reported that they have been affected by  the new vending  arrangements,” he  explained.
The PSC President emphasised  that the overall intention is to come up with an amicable  solution to help those most affected along with  the  Mayor and City Council (M&CC), as well as the Ministry of Public Works  and Communication.
He explained , “ We want  to see what proper arrangements  can be put in place to  facilitate an organised activity and at the same time  to come  up with something that vendors  will also be satisfied and be able to abide with.”
As for the consequences  of last Wednesday’s explosion  which killed one man and injured 19 others,  and which triggered  the removal campaign, Ramnauth said,  “All in all, I think that what has happened has triggered the events that are  taking place now, and the thing is to find a proper solution to everything  and we will work towards  that.”
In addition to  the complaints raised by  the removed vendors, the taxi drivers located  on the western side of Banks DIH  are now protesting  the decision made to relocate some of the vendors  to that  location.
According to several of the drivers,  the  arranged placement of the vendors  is  in close proximity to their area of operation and  will severly restrict  their movements.
“I think this is unfair for those in charge to make this decision and to now  come and put us out,” said Mr. Lennox  Kennedy,  as he explained the concerns  of the taxi drivers.
In addition , Kennedy highlighted that a section of the park which was once  used by the drivers,  has now been designated by the M&CC to be  occupied  by  several vendors This has resulted in the removal of some   taxi operators  who had been stationed there for decades.
“We have a living  to make  too and we also have to feed our  families;  where are  we to go now?” the concerned Kennedy  asked.
As the Private Sector Commission reaches out  to solve  the existing  problems, Ramnauth has indicated that a separate meeting  will be held with the taxi operators on Friday.