THE New Stelling View Market in Georgetown was re-opened to the public yesterday. Clerk of Markets Schulder Griffith disclosed that the spanking new facility was constructed at a cost of roughly $40M.
The mall, located south of Stabroek Market in an area widely known as ‘Donkey City’, comprises 66 stalls, including two barber shops, three hair dressing salons, four grocery shops, three cell phone stores, seven food stalls, two shops offering air-conditioning services, one tailor shop, two craft shops, seven food places, and one Internet café.
The new marketplace is a beauty to behold, with a huge ‘benab’ which houses fruits and vegetables at its centre. A fountain is also being worked on in further efforts to improve the ambience of the market.
Each stallholder had a noticable garbage receptacle that contributed to the evident cleanliness. City Councillor Victor Sobers encouraged vendors to continue having their own garbage bins in order to maintain an attractive environment.
He also urged vendors to be customer-friendly, always bearing in mind that “the customer is always right,” and to print brochures and posters to ‘sell the facility.’
The Clerk of Markets encouraged stallholders to remain for the long haul, as this was the only way they would be found by prospective customers. “If you stay, they will come; if you go, they are gone.”
He lauded the “vital and crucial” assistance from the Public Works Ministry, while the minister with that portfolio, Mr. Robeson Benn, offered that he was happy and well-pleased to have helped with works on this project.
He observed that the ministry did its bit on infrastructure works, and that the Government of Guyana has proved to be a reliable partner in development. For this year alone, he said, government has spent over $700M in works across the city.
In brief remarks,    Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green, who claimed to be hoarse, said he was saving his voice for a rally to be staged by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) at Front Road, West Ruimveldt last night. He used the occasion to invite those present to attend the APNU rally. 
Mayor Green observed that the first stall was painted in the “excellent” colour green, and requested a round of applause from the audience for this.
In 2009, the Markets’ Division of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) took a decision to rehabilitate the Stelling View Market. The intention was to find alternative accommodation for those who sold at the Stabroek Front Area.  
The plot of land known as ‘Donkey City’ was then developed, but after two or three years, vendors abandoned that location and returned to their previous spots. The area then became one largely for storage, and a haven for criminal activities.
When the idea to rehabilitate the mall was initially put forward, vendors refused to cooperate, as they were concerned about leaving their prime spots of business. Security issues at ‘Donkey City’ also formed part of their concerns. Nevertheless, the vendors eventually came to grips with the initiative and saw the good in it. 
Yesterday’s formal opening saw performances from Henry ‘Sugar Baby’ Rodney, Charmain ‘Leading Singer’ Blackman and Lady Karen.