~ Vendors call on Mayor and City Council to provide better facilities

WHILE several vendors and shop owners were benefitting from the last minute sales, stall owners at the back of the Stabroek market were forced to close their businesses early, due to flooding on Monday afternoon.

When the Guyana Chronicle arrived at the market to investigate what caused the flooding, the newspaper learnt that there was a sewer system backup which caused pungent smelling water to cover parts of the market, forcing consumers to discontinue shopping and vendors to close their stalls.

Tomotanye Wong-wing, a stall owner, stated that the water started rising around 13:30hrs and, within seconds, the water was past her ankles. She added that, while the water ran off rather quickly, it had a pungent smell and was very ‘dirty’ looking as if it was ‘infused’ with faeces.

She added that, because of the unhealthy environment, consumers ceased shopping in that section of the market.

Wong-wing further stated that, she would be closing her stall early, since she had been feeling very nauseous from the awful scent of the water.
The woman in an appeal to the relevant authorities urged them to not forget about vendors like herself and the unwholesome conditions they were forced to work in to sustain their families.

Another vendor who requested to remain anonymous stated that she was fortunate since her goods were not damaged. However, due to the unpleasant scent and colour of the water, consumers ceased shopping in that section of the market and that hindered her sales greatly.

The woman further stated that a regular customer went to her stall to purchase an item and she slipped and fell in the ‘dirty’ water. That, she added, caused even more persons to cease going to the back of the market to shop.

Meanwhile, the woman remained optimistic and stated that she was hoping that, after the water ‘runs off’, sales would pick up; if not she would have to close her stall for the day like several of her colleagues.

The woman stated that vendors experience regular floods in that area of the market and the issue was often ignored or just swept under the rug.