MINISTER within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker, has highlighted that vendors are refusing to occupy the tarmac facilities built for them because of lack of certain facilities.

At a press conference held last Monday at the Ministry’s boardroom at Kingston, Minister Whittaker said that sellers have expressed the need for provision of security as well as washroom facilities in order for them to relocate to the tarmacs built for them.
He said that the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and respective municipalities are engaging these vendors to optimise and occupy these tarmacs, which the government has provided at tremendous expense.
He noted that despite the issues that were identified, steps are being taken to have more persons make use of these tarmacs; and thus far, success has been reported in some areas.
Minister Whittaker pointed out that some of the areas which have voiced their concerns about the issues are Buxton/Foulis NDC, Industry/Plaisance NDC (East Coast Demerara), and the Grove/Diamond NDC (East Bank Demerara).
The NDCs reported to the ministry that, with the provision of what they are requesting, they would be willing to relocate to the tarmacs.
The minister said that in the Ministry’s 2013 budget, resources are available to meet the vendors’ demands, and Permanent Secretary, Collin Croal has already placed advertisements inviting bidders for the projects to have the sellers occupy the facilities at the earliest possible opportunity.
According to Whittaker, the ministry is also working with the Grove/Diamond NDC by marking out areas, and a management group comprising vendors, NDC representatives and members of the Local Government Ministry has been tasked with working with the vendors to meet an agreed timetable for them to occupy the tarmac.
He concluded that these are the issues of concern which are stalling the vendors from relocating to the tarmacs; but the ministry will work with the vendors and NDCs to sort out whatever challenges and issues they may have. As it is, the ministry is dealing with the unavailability of the facilities that the vendors have requested, and this is being done on a countrywide basis.