THREE months after government officially handed over the Haslington Market Tarmac to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), it is still to be utilized for its intended purpose. The Haslington Market Tarmac was commissioned in August 2012, in a bid to bring relief to vendors who ply their trade at the roadside. Constructed at a cost of $14.9M, the facility was intended to benefit more than 1000 residents in Haslington and the contiguous village of Golden Grove.

In handing over the facility to NDC Councillor, Mr Dhanpaul Sukhdeo, Local Government Minister, Mr. Norman Whittaker had urged the Market Committee to maintain and manage the tarmac, and challenged the members to make its usage generate income to build a toilet facility.

Residents are, however, contending that unless they are facilitated with toilets, they would be disinclined to take up positions on the tarmac, since lavatory facilities are absolutely necessary.

NDC Councillor, Dhanpaul Sukhdeo, in a telephone interview, stated that a circular came from Minister Whittaker informing who would sit on the Market Committee, but progress in this respect is still contingent on word from the relevant authorities. The Regional Executive Officer must get a representative on the committee, which includes two NDC councillors, one RDC councillor, one Local Government representative and vendors’ representatives. Dhanpaul is unaware who demarcated the tarmac.
Efforts to reach Minister Whittaker for a comment were futile.