As the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) eyes a political takeover of the Georgetown Municipality following the June 12 Local Government Elections, the party’s General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has made it clear that street ending will continue.
Many persons and organisations have repeatedly called for an end to vending along the roadsides and pavements but Jagdeo said the PPP will not support that call, labelling it as extreme.
“In the most developed countries, there is street vending.
“Vendors will be allowed to continue earning an honest living but conditions have to improve…street vending has to be done under better conditions,” Jagdeo said.
He said the PPP/C government is already making investments to improve the infrastructure and operations of municipal markets; he hopes that with more PPP/C candidates elected to the City Council that there will soon be better management in place.
“We can’t give the money to this current town council because they will spend it on everything else except markets and improving the conditions,” Jagdeo added.
He pointed out that the situation, as it currently stands, is a cause for concern with vendors now blocking entrances to businesses and taking over parking and pavement spaces.
“We can’t block store entrances…the place must be kept clean, altogether the conditions must improve.
“Our position has never been on the extreme side,” the General Secretary added.
Just over two weeks ago, the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown and vendors, who ply their trade along Regent Street, have received support from the central government for a joint effort to clean clogged drains along the busy commercial area.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall was also engaged in a walk about.
“We want people to ply their trade and to do so in a structured and organised way,” Dharamlall said.
The Local Government Minister said he wanted to ensure that no vendor was being removed, while at the same time, ensuring that the city is maintained.
He observed that vendors themselves complained of clogged drains and consequential flooding, especially during the rainy season.
