Prime location, uniforms, for Georgetown coconut vendors
A man enjoying a drink of coconut water
A man enjoying a drink of coconut water

WHEN the heat of the midday sun penetrates a pedestrian, resulting in dehydration, one of the quickest remedies is to stop by a coconut vendor -– they are usually stationed on street corners in the city — and be refreshed with some cold coconut water.But these highly skilled individuals who have mastered the art of controlling a cutlass, will not be allowed to solicit sales at any random point in the city, as currently obtains.
Solid Waste Director of the Mayor & City Council (M&CC) Walter Narine,on Thursday revealed that the local government body is currently in the process of exploring the option of having all coconut vendors stationed at one point in the city, from where their products can be accessed.

This decision comes at a time when City Hall, supported by volunteers and vendors, has been making tremendous efforts to restore Georgetown to its traditionally described “Garden City” status.

Narine said no definite decision has, as yet, been made in relation to this proposal but it was discussed with the coconut vendors and they were all receptive to this new initiative.

He said that for the initiative to be operationalised, it must first be discussed by the Finance Committee, which is expected to meet next week. This issue will be featured on the agenda.

Besides relocation, Narine said the possibility of having these vendors wear uniforms will also be explored. This idea, he said, is to push a culture of uniformity at a time when efforts are being made to reorganise the socio-economic orientation of Georgetown.
This proposed introduction, he said, was also well received by the vendors.

He noted that a fee will be implemented for coconut vendors to have their shells disposed of after a day’s work. “Those shells are huge, and sometimes the shavings and even the whole shell are left on the road or in drains. So we will be seeking to implement a system for them [the vendors] to pay a fee which will be used to provide disposal services,” Narine explained.

The practice currently exists in Jamaica for coconut vendors to be at a prime location, dressed in their uniforms. (Ravin Singh)

 

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