MINISTER within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Norman Whittaker met with vendors of Mon Repos Market, on Wednesday, to discuss issues of importance, at the Mon repos/La Reconnaissance Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), East Coast Demerara.

After listening to the many laments of the sellers, he told them that he is proposing a plan for all to construct their own stalls in a systematic manner.
Whittaker said it must be a decision which includes those selling and they must bear in mind that what is being proposed will not happen in a day but that is the direction in which the Administration is looking to go.
He reiterated that, should the proposal be executed, it has to be in a systematic manner where all the stalls are designed and constructed alike.
Whittaker emphasised that it is the vending group’s responsibility to ensure that their selling environment is clean at all times.
He announced that, to assist in dealing with the many issues faced by the sellers, he ordered the formalisation of a market committee.
Whittaker said, in the past, there was such a committee but it became dormant after the members failed to reach agreement on very critical issues.

NEW COMMITTEE
Nevertheless, following a lengthy period of disagreement, they identified three of their colleagues who will sit on a new committee to handle their affairs and they are Lakram Lalchand, Romario Shiwumangal and Vidyawatie Barrat.
In the coming week, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 4 (Demerara/Mahaica) will identify one person, the NDC two and the Local Government Ministry will appoint another to sit on the Mon Repos Market Committee, the minister stated.
Accompanying Whittaker was Acting Chairman of the Mon Repos/La Reconnaissance NDC, Mr. Ayube Mohammed, who revealed that the Ministry of Public Works will be executing a drainage project within the area.
That ministry will be conducting an exercise by which it will be raising the height of the drains and some vendors may be required to relocate within the boundaries of the tarmac, but not off it, to facilitate the work, as it is not the Government’s intention to put the sellers out of business.
President of the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO), Mrs. Indra Chandarpal, who was also present, noted that change is foreseeable in the situation.
She said, in an effort to facilitate the work in the future, there may be need for movement along the East Coast Demerara corridor.
Chandarpal noted that one of the problems faced is that of expansion, something which is very needed and, in expanding, there will be dislocation which one has to understand is necessary for development.

TREMENDOUSLY TRANSFORMED
She declared she is sure that everyone wants to see a growing and developing country and admitted that the Mon Repos area, once a squatting community like many other communities in the country, has been tremendously transformed over the past 20 years.
Chandarpal said in an endeavour to promote greater development, the citizens of Guyana must stand by the present Government.
Regarding the Mon Repos Market, she suggested that it may have the prospective to be a tourist destination but has a long way to go.
Chandarpal also offered to assist the stallholders in rebuilding the image of the facility.
In the end, while vendors seemed pleased with the arrangements, they still questioned the time span for implementation of the plans.