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Chairman of the host organisation, Mr. Sase Shewnarain, explained that several issues critical to the development of the region needed to be addressed and any delay could spell disaster.
He said, high on the agenda, is the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB);illegal use of Government reserves; power outages and associated damage; development in the region and the need for the establishment of industries for the provision of employment opportunities.
According to Shewnarain, they have observed that one of their greatest challenges continues to be the illegal vending along pavements and in front of the business establishments of its members, which affects sales and sends a bad signal to potential investors.
He identified bugbears to development in the region and those who conduct business within but said, while they have several concerns, they are appreciative of some government projects which, they feel, have helped so far, but pointed out what more needs to be done.
INVESTMENT CLIMATE
Shewnarain declared that the investment climate in the region needs to be fixed, since it is not attracting any new inputs and those, currently existing have been experiencing difficulties.
He said the lack of parking facilities for those who operate legitimate businesses causes them to have to contend with illegal vendors right in front of their premises.
Shewnarain also mentioned the failure of persons to utilise the government-constructed market tarmacs for the purpose of vending, noting that they are now being used as cricket pitches and sleeping and parking places, but providing the opportunity for criminal activities.
He asked the Transport Minister to include the Chamber in its information chain, so that they could be updated on the progress of works and plans with respect to the present DHB or its possible replacement.
Shewnarain said that failure to inform them leaves room for misinformation that could throw things completely off course.
The businessman lamented that the electricity supply in the region is like Christmas lights and the sporadic power outages have caused several business owners to complain of damage to their equipment.
He suggested that, when there is to be a blackout, Guyana Power & Light (GPL) should, at least, wait a few minutes before restoring the current rather than doing so within seconds, because that affects automatic generators and other machinery and appliances.
Shewnarain said almost all businesses which operate compressors have complained of loss or damage to equipment because of the manner in which the electricity is cut off and restored.
Ministers Persaud and Benn both gave the Government’s commitment to ensure that the complaints made are addressed.
VERY REFRESHING
Mr. Benn said it was very refreshing to see that, apart from the Government, there are sections of civil society who realise the dangers and challenges posed by illegal vending and the illegitimate use of the government’s reserves.
He committed to giving his ministry’s support to the region and the establishment of a body to deal with the mats.
Mr. Persaud thanked the RCCI for bringing to his attention the misuse of the market tarmacs and promised to have it looked into.
In addition, he said his ministry will see officers studying the plan of action of the RCCI, so as to have an idea of what are some of the problems to be tackled and the approach that will be adopted in doing so.
