— killing lawful businesses in Bartica

By Alva Solomon
THE authorities in Bartica may soon act against illegal vending at the foreshore of the mining community, as persons have vented their disgust at the actions of those who rob the community of fees from vending and other activities.

In recent days, Barticians have, on social media, voiced concern regarding illegal vending, wherein boats laden with vegetables, fruits, and even meat would ‘pull-up’ at the seawall area, in the northern section of the mining community, and trade items with willing customers.

The situation occurs mainly on Mondays, and residents say the legitimate businesses, such as the stallholders at the market and shops in the area, suffer as a result. Pushcart vendors as well as other businesses in the community support the illegal act.

Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that while the responsibility for markets and vending falls under the purview of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the municipality, he has received numerous complaints from persons in the community. Efforts to contact new IMC Chairman Gilford Marshall yesterday were futile.

PAYMENT OF FEES
Bradford said he has discussed the issue with the new IMC, and he explained that the items brought to the foreshore by the boats are sold cheaper, compared to those already on the market in the mining community.

“It definitely will put a dent on our municipal markets,” he said. Market vendors pay a monthly fee as well as stall rental fees.

Bradford said he has already discussed the issue with the IMC. He noted that there are certain conditions which have to be met before an area or place can be deemed a market.

According to a resident, there are some market vendors who purchase items from the “laden boats” and re-sell at the market at very high prices. She contended that the boat owners, as well as the pushcart vendors who purchase from the boats, are not residents of the community. She suggested that the IMC discuss the setting up of additional stalls at the market, so that the process can be legitimised.

Another resident recounted that, in years gone by, boats laden with items would arrive from the island of Wakenaam on certain days. “The boat vendors used to sell on them empty stalls and pay a fee to the Municipal. I remember going out on those days to buy, because things were cheaper,” she said.

Persons have suggested that, if the trade is completely banned, alternatives must be put in place to accommodate the traders. “If we are talking about curbing the present situation, it must be done with these people’s interest at heart as well,” one resident suggested.

Some residents told this newspaper yesterday that there has been an unfair system as regards the allocation of stalls to persons at the market. One resident said she had approached the authorities in the past for permission to sell in front of the market during the mornings, but her plans never materialised.

She said stallholders informed her that the spots are reserved for persons from outside of the community.

She expressed hope that the system would change under the recently installed IMC, and noted that, in recent years, persons from Bartica appeared to have been sidelined as regards being permitted to vend legally.

PRICE RANGE
But while persons have criticized the illegal act, others have said the situation has resulted from the high cost of items at the market. One vendor noted yesterday that the prices of commodities and food at the market can be very expensive. She said it is for this reason that persons would prefer to buy goods at cheaper prices from the boats at the seawall.

Meanwhile, the Regional Chairman informed yesterday that business became brisker as the Christmas season materialised. “Indeed, it didn’t pick up earlier in the season, but I did see an increase near Christmas Eve and later,” Bradford said.

He said that business at Bartica revolves around mining, and if the industry is not “doing well,” the businesses experience difficulties in getting sales.
Meanwhile, Barticians are preparing for township status, which is expected to be officially declared on April 23, 2016.
President David Granger made the promise during the elections campaign. In June this year, the Head of State made good on his promise when he announced that the township status will be concretised.