MINISTER within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Norman Whittaker, has reported that his ministry has identified a definite area to relocate the Mon Repos market tarmac.

A few months ago, vendors of the market were in uproar after learning that construction of the four-lane highway along the East Coast Demerara corridor would put the tarmac out of existence, and they would have to be moved.
In a comment invited by the media, last Tuesday at the Ministry of Local Government in Kingston, Whittaker said that although the site has been identified, construction would not commence until permission is granted by the Public Works Ministry.
He explained that expanding that lane would mean having the four-lane highway fall on some sections of the market, and in the interest of the safety of vendors and buyers, the tarmac would be relocated, and that decision has been supported by the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and the Ministry of Public Works.
He posited that another meeting had been held on Monday with the Mon Repos NDC and members of the Market Committee, to discuss issues affecting the vendors; and he pointed out that the issue of vendors continuing to ply their trade on the Mon Repos tarmac was discussed with due regard to the fact that some part of the tarmac would be taken up by the road, bringing into play the issue of  vendors’ safety.
At a meeting with the vendors held earlier last month, Whittaker noted thus: “To the contrary, I did undertake to have representatives of the Local Government Ministry and Ministry of Public Works present to guide the meeting on issues relevant to their respective sector ministry, if needed.”
He had indicated that “wicked, malicious persons with their own agendas sought to, and did (indeed), paint a different picture. But the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) is committed, and does work with our citizens to help them to improve their livelihoods, and not to aid (their) decline.”
He underscored that, besides this, markets in general need to be kept in proper condition, to accommodate vendors and buyers.
He said that there are certain things one can do to improve sales and encourage customers; and as far as he has seen, none of the vendors has been doing so.
At that meeting, Minister Whittaker said issues such as drainage and garbage collection and disposal were raised.
He highlighted that the Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) have a major role to play in the market places, and he urged them to accept responsibility and make sure that the market places are visited regularly to ensure they remain in clean and healthy condition for customers and vendors to inhabit on a daily basis.
Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) president and (PPP/C) parliamentarian, Mrs. Indra Chandarpal, had also pledged her support in administration of the market. Upon meeting with the vendors recently, she told them that one of the problems faced is that of expansion, something which is very needed; and in expanding, she said, there will be dislocation.
She urged them to understand that dislocation is necessary for development, as she is sure that everyone wants to see a growing and developing country.