A MAJOR road project inside the East Ruimveldt Market, said to be the only drive- through market in the Caribbean, has recently been completed and Constituency Councillor Trichria Richards is lauding government’s commitment to progress.

“I refuse to take any credit for this,” Richards told the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday, adding: “Although I have been getting a lot of credit, this project shows that the local government system is working and it attests to government’s commitment to progress.”
According to Richards, the project $39.5M included the road project with revetment. The main entrance to the market was paved and the four inner lanes were also done. A gate is in the process of being installed, along with a welcome sign.

Residents, though, have raised concerns about the durability of the roads and a decision was subsequently taken for speed humps to be installed. A height barrier was also agreed to keep certain heavy-duty vehicles from entering the market.

The councillor explained that since the state of the roads was priority, this year’s government subvention was used to complete that project. In next year’s allocation, other projects such as the roofing and painting of stalls will be done.

Meanwhile, vendors had complained in the past that the deplorable state of the roads in the market was preventing customers, especially those with vehicles, from going to the shops nearby.

The rehabilitative works, according to Richards, needed to include the sanitary blocks, revenue office, constabulary building and the construction of a gate and fence. The gate and fence are needed to tighten security at the market, and to allow opening and closing at specified times.

Describing it as the only drive-through market in the Caribbean, Richards had told this publication that the roads inside the market were being done in partnership with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

The market houses more than 50 vendors, but many of the stalls were empty because drivers hesitated to use the roads.

The East Ruimveldt Market, located on Vlissengen Road and the East Ruimveldt Front Road, was built by the City Council in 1978. The market at one time housed approximately 200 vending stalls, three public restrooms and a City Constabulary office; it was said to have been attracting 2,000 customers daily.

In 2016, repairs to the main entrance of the market commenced, which allowed for easier access to vehicular traffic.

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan had paid a visit late last year to the constituency to look at drainage issues affecting the area. There, Councillor Richards requested financial help for upgrading the market and the ministry subsequently wrote the City Council asking that part of the subvention be allocated to works there.