THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) loses millions of dollars in revenue on a monthly basis because a proper system for collection is not in place, says Deputy Mayor, Sherod Duncan.At Monday’s statutory meeting, he stood up to inform councillors that he was in possession of evidence that some vendors are not being issued with receipts by the revenue collectors.

“Vendors are complaining to me all the time that they’re paying their money and not being issued with receipts. I am arguing that Council is losing millions of dollars on a monthly basis. We have to find a better system in which we collect our market fees,” Duncan subsequently told the Chronicle in an invited comment.

Revenue collectors have over and over again come in for criticism on the way they operate, demanding bribes in many instances. For the year so far, there have been several incidents in which the officers were accused and pointed out for the said practice.

Just a few days ago, the wholesale vendors who ply their trade between Orange Walk and Cummings Street, on Merriman Mall, complained of having to pay each constable $5000 if they turn up at the facility before the time that they are allowed to sell there.

The Chronicle understands that vendors there are supposed to officially start their business at 10:30 hrs, but should a constable find them there even one hour or half of an hour before that time, the $5000 would have to be paid.

One vendor, who requested anonymity, said the officers issue a receipt for the $5000, but that she was in doubt that it is actually paid over to the City Council. In times past, City Hall has had to deal with the issue of officers having their own receipt books.

Meanwhile, when a team from City Hall, including Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan, visited Stabroek Market recently, top officials of the City Constabulary Department were embarrassed by vendors who pointed them out as demanding bribes from them.

“Look he deh right deh. Meh give he $5000,” one vendor told the team while pointing to the officer. Numerous complaints were reportedly received on the issue of bribery.