Anna Regina vendors given final notice to remove stalls
Vendors operating on the road shoulders in Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, have been issued with a final notice to remove all permanent structures from the area.
The notice, which was dispatched by the clerk, Wazeer Danraj, on January 26, 2017, gives the vendors seven days to comply and to remove all permanent structures encroaching the road shoulders.
According to information reaching this publication, this move came immediately after the last statutory meeting, where the majority of the Councillors voted for the
Some of the makeshift stalls along the road shoulders in Anna Regina
permanent structures to be removed. Vendors will only be allowed temporary make-shift tables, which must be removed at the end of the day.
The document further outlined that if the vendors fail to comply; the Council will take necessary legal action to remove them, and will not be responsible for any damages or compensation. The letter was also signed by Town Clerk, Diane Critchlow.
The council once again came in for much criticism by vendors and residents, who continue to highlight the impacts such decisions have on their ability to provide for their families. They are therefore calling on the Council to take into consideration their circumstances.
During the last dismantling exercise in 2016, many stalls were damaged and, as such, the vendors were forced to incur additional expenses to have them replaced.
The vendors have condemned the latest action by the Council and have explained that they are not prepared to comply since no proper consultations were held.
“What will happen to our livelihood, last exercise I lost thousands of dollars, again they are coming, what will happen to these poor vendors?” one vendor, Sattie Narine, questioned.
Meanwhile, Region Two Chairman Daveanand Ramdatt, commented on the issue in a public post on Facebook and denied the assertion that the decision to remove the vendors was made at the statutory meeting.
“The decision to bully vendors along the Anna Regina roadside is not one made by the Mayor and the majority of the Councillors, no decision to remove vendors was made by the Council at its statutory meeting or at any forum.”
Ramdatt added that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) will stand strong in support with the vendors.
However, Mark McLean, an APNU Councillor who sits on the Anna Regina Town Council, explained that a review of the law will show that what occurs at the Anna Regina market is illegal. He also stressed that if persons need to make a living, they need to abide by the laws.
