MAYOR of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine, has said that the municipality does not have funds to build more washroom facilities in the city and claimed that several organisations and individuals have refused to pay taxes they owe the City Council. Even though there are washroom facilities for members of the public and vendors at the Stabroek and Bourda markets, the issue of inadequate public restroom facilities is one that greatly affects vendors across the capital. Recently, a vendor lost his life over an incident of public urination at the Stabroek Market.
Mayor Narine told the Guyana Chronicle that the facilities at the Stabroek and Bourda Markets become inaccessible when the markets are closed in the afternoons, and this contributes in some part to the vendors taking the decision to utilise public spaces to relieve themselves.
The mayor disclosed that while the municipality would like to make washroom facilities available to vendors and members of the public, it does not have the funds to do so.
He believes that if all the individuals and organisations that owe City Hall pay their taxes, the city would have money to not only build additional washroom facilities, but also for beautification works. Vendors at the Stabroek Market Square utilise the washroom facilities located inside the market as well as the washroom facilities of the eating establishments in the vicinity.
Additionally, as highlighted by some vendors, access to washroom facilities at eating establishments are often guarded by a purchase policy, which establishes access to the washroom for vendors and other persons only when they make a purchase.