-as President Ali makes interventions to support vendors

President Dr. Irfaan Ali, along with the central government, has taken steps to address a number of concerns raised by vendors and consumers.
During the early hours of Wednesday morning, the Head of State made a visit to Bourda Market, where he interacted with numerous vendors. The vendors expressed their concerns about security and raised issues regarding the City Council’s failure to properly monitor the area.
Vendors expressed their frustration with being targeted by motorcycle bandits and criticised the security forces for their inadequate response to reported incidents.
“I want the police to come here later today for a comprehensive security outreach. We are considering setting up a major outpost to support the market and connect the cameras to screens,” President Ali announced in an effort to respond to the immediate concerns of the vendors.
He explained that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will establish an outpost at the market that will be linked to nearby surveillance cameras for continuous monitoring.
President Ali expressed his dissatisfaction with the City Council’s performance and accused them of failing to fulfill their duties and responsibilities, such as garbage management, security, and the maintenance of city structures.
“The City Council is not fulfilling its responsibilities. They are collecting money but failing to provide security and manage waste effectively. We will address these issues ourselves,” the President stressed.
Adding: “The City Council is not doing anything…They are collecting money from the people in the market; they’re supposed to have a constabulary out there.”
Meanwhile, to improve the infrastructure of the city market, the President committed that the central government will spearhead significant upgrades to the market. These improvements will include constructing a new tarmac and a large shed to house the stalls.
Accompanying the President were the Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud and City Councillors from the governing Peoples Progressive Party/C (PPP/C) Government.
President Ali had also recently visited the Stabroek Market.
Back in April, a section of that market’s roof had collapsed which resulted in minor injuries to several persons.
The Stabroek Market has experienced multiple roof collapses over the years, posing a threat to the lives and limbs of vendors and customers.
During a news conference, PPP General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, had told reporters that the mishap was a result of the “failure of the city council” and, in fact, central government has been undertaking several responsibilities of the council.
“Every single thing that should be done in the city by law are part of their [city council] mandate…the central government has to take over,” he said.
Aside from this, the government has been conducting citywide outreaches, visiting several communities in the capital city.
“We’re spending hundreds of millions of dollars on all the recreational facilities in the city, 34 of them being done… with lights, etc. We have undertaken all the beautification of the city, the sidewalks, the boardwalks, and everything else. It’s being done by the government.”
Dr. Jagdeo noted that the government has committed to improving the city’s infrastructure that has been left in neglect by the last government-led Mayor and City Council.
“We’ve spent $15 million to take the dump site out of the city, where we are now doing the drainage. In the city, we are clearing drains. We are putting additional pumping capacity in the city. What does the city do? If we’re doing drainage, grounds, beautification, etc., they’re literally doing very little,” he lamented.