Despite money problem…
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo, on Tuesday, met with several La Penitence Market vendors who had picketed in front of Office of
the President (OP) to protest their removal as the Ministries of Local Government and Public Works proceed with modernising the area. The meeting followed a similar situation when, some weeks ago, the Head of State sought to assuage the concerns of Stabroek
Market vendors, who were also protesting their relocation following the grenade explosion that killed one man and injured 19 others
on January 5.
Minister of Local Government, Mr. Kellawan Lall, who also attended on Tuesday, pointed out that there are several options
available to those vending at La Penitence, including the use of a tarmac being laid on Independence Boulevard and repairs to the
same market to house some of them.
However, he said those proposals still need to be examined and a needs assessment done of the most suitable location for the
relocation.
Several of the La Penitence complainants, who were given audience with President Jagdeo, said they were, so far, satisfied
with the discussions and are grateful for any alternative which would afford them the opportunity to continue earning a living.
Meanwhile, the relocation exercise continues to move apace, as many of the stallholders, in their efforts to cooperate with
the authorities, have removed their structures to facilitate the commencement of works.
Those who were relocated inside the market, have begun working on erection of their new stalls while the Works Ministry
undertakes a survey ahead of expanding the bridge along Saffon Street.
COOPERATION
Despite their cooperation, however, several of the sellers lamented that   they do not have the necessary resources to
rebuild structures in the areas designated by the Georgetown City Council.
“We have been selling in that one spot in front of the market for almost five years and we have put up a concrete stall. Where
are we going to find the money to do it over again,” asked affected stallholder Arjune (only name given).
The woman, who was in the group at OP on Tuesday, voiced her satisfaction with what they were told.
“He (President Jagdeo) listened to what we had to say and promised that he would look into the matter,” she offered.
Another, Gordon Watson, who is also a representative of the Vendor’s Committee, said only a few of them were ordered to remove
and those remaining were given a couple of months to dismantle their selling places to make room for the ongoing improvements.
“Some of us were given more time to move. We have about two months to move everything but, by then, we should hear something
positive about where we will move to,” he told the Guyana Chronicle.
But he said he was concerned over the cost of relocating and reiterated that many of them do not have the funds to rebuild, at
this time.
“Even though not all of us will have to move now, we still have a problem to get the money to pay for all of the breaking down
and rebuilding we have to do,” Watson said.
His concern aside, he was also thankful for the intervention by President Jagdeo.
“He (Jagdeo) tried to solve our problem in front of us and that showed us that he, really, cares about what goes on and we are
happy that he listened to us,” Watson offered.
Prior to the Tuesday conversation, Minister Lall and Transport and Hydraulics Minister, Robeson Benn, had been explaining,
to the vendors, the reasons for the government’s action, as well.
Mr. Benn said the project is necessary in order to alleviate congestion caused by the heavy traffic flow in the La Penitence
area.
He gave the assurance that measures will be put in place to make sure the project, which commenced yesterday and would take four
months to complete, is successful.