LINDEN vendors operating in the Mackenzie Municipal Market are very perturbed over the placement of a public washroom facility directly in front of the northern entrance of the market. On Monday morning when the vendors turned up to conduct business, they were astounded to see a newly dug hole and the commencement of the foundation for the facility. Upon enquiring, they were told that it was a washroom facility and this revelation resulted in an uproar.
The vendors subsequently tried to stop the workers from proceeding with the construction, but the police were brought to the scene and they were asked to desist from their protest action against the construction workers. “We just come to wuk this morning and see them man building this toilet and we try to stop them so they bring police on we and tell we that we can’t stop them,” said one shoemaker who operates his business at the entrance to the market.
The toilet facility being built by a private individual will be used by the public who will pay a small fee for its services. The vendors are concerned that the initiative will adversely affect their businesses since fumes will emanate and the sewage will not be properly channelled. “They can’t do that man, how can they build a toilet right in front hay and there isn’t even any proper drainage system,” asked the vendor.
The toilet is being built where the dump site for the market was located; however, the bins were moved to another location closer to the southern entrance of the market. Another vendor, Yvonne Drakes, said that the two bins placed in front of the market could not cater for the amount of garbage accumulated by the vendors daily. This will result in littering and the entire front of the market being in an unkempt state.
The vendors told the media that the toilet was being built by a businessman operating a shop outside of the market. However, when the Guyana Chronicle contacted the businessman known as “Mr. Hoppie,” he said that the facility was not being built by him but he was in agreement with the idea, because it would be air-conditioned and not merely a toilet but a complete washroom facility comprising a bathroom, toilet and sink. The vendors also complained that no one from the municipality consulted with them on whether the initiative would be accepted or not. Chairman of the Interim Management Committee, Orin Gordon, said that he is worried that the waterways might be contaminated when the washroom is operationalised.