AS THE city sanitation and management programmes continue, a 24 hour ultimatum has been given to another group of persons breaching city rules and regulations, the council said in a release.Persons illegally occupying public spaces on the western side of Mandela Avenue with makeshift structures and East Ruimveldt market vendors, who have also constructed illegal structures, taking up extra space in the process, have been asked to desist from their various activities.

The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) announced Thursday, that they have noticed extensions of vendors operating spaces. Town Clerk, Royston King said that, “The Council is concerned about vendors illegally increasing selling points, virtually repeating what is being restricted in the city centre.”

King said that several notices have been served on the vendors, but they continue to illegally expand. Notice has also been given to persons squatting along Mandela Avenue. These persons have constructed shacks and stored items on these properties. The Council has noted that there are plans to utilise the facility and thus, offered 24 hours for persons to remove their items and relinquish the city’s property. A 24-hour timeframe was also given to vendors to remove their illegal structures ahead of the Council’s visit to the location.

A technical team attached to the Municipality’s Engineer’s Department also carried out a removal exercise earlier today that saw the flattening of the so-called ‘dread shop’, located west of Parliament Building.

The Town Clerk’s office had given earlier notice to the structure’s operators, while making specific reference to what was described as “unsavoury” activities taking place there, particularly on Friday nights. Operations at this facility was also said to be in direct breach of city public health laws. All other illegal structures around the city are also being eyed for removal.

The City Council reminded the public that the city is under a transition phase and reiterated calls for the co-operation of all stakeholders. It was said that all citizens must be able to enjoy and access the city’s facilities, hence the ongoing exercises that include the relocation of roadside vendors.

“While the law is clear on what is and what is not permitted in and on public spaces, the Council is adamant about mechanisms to ease the transition process for vendors. Though this is not an obligation of the Council and requires separate financing, they have noted that the well-being of the city, depends on the well-being of citizens. “All Guyanese deserve to have a city equal to the best in world,” the Town Clerk charged.

King said that the Council has an agenda to make Georgetown the “cleanest and greenest” in the Caribbean, and this will be achieved, “regardless (of) the difficulties”.