Anna Regina vendors, Town Council at loggerheads over street vending

Scores of vendors selling alongside the Anna Regina Public Road have staged another protest against the decision to have their wooden stalls dismantled and to order them to use collapsible tents for their vending by April.
Vendors are complaining that they could not afford collapsible tents as these were expensive, costing some $300,000.

A vegetable vendor, Sattie Persaud explained that the fee the Council was charging for vending on the roadside was $2000 per day, adding that with low sales vendors were poor and could not afford to buy such tents.
Another vendor, Satesh Mangra said that the old market at Anna Regina did not have adequate space and the infrastructure was very poor. This claim, however, has been disputed by the Anna Regina Town Council, which has since said that about 300 spots were available.
Vendor representative Nahib Shabar called on the Anna Regina Town Council to reconsider the decision and to allow long-term vendors to vend.
Shabar said that many of the persons were depending on vending as their livelihood and most could not afford to purchase the tents.
He also mentioned that they needed more time and less rental fees.

Intruding on Govt reserves
Meanwhile, Anna Regina Mayor Rajendra Prabulall said that he was concerned about vendors intruding on Government reserves and the public road, and warned that these persons must demolish all permanent stalls within the Town by April.
At a recent meeting held in the boardroom of the Anna Regina Town Council, the Mayor stated that there were more than 300 spots within the market area waiting to be occupied by vendors and, therefore, vendors should cooperate with the Council in assisting in the beautification of Anna Regina.
It was decided by the Council that the environs of the Anna Regina High Bridge and the passageway leading to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) building must be cleared.
The Mayor said that the Council has invested millions of dollars in 42 solar lights, repainting and refurbishing stalls and other works to make vendors comfortable within the environment.
Additionally, he said that was done to make the market environment conducive to selling and if vendors were having difficulties in managing to vend using collapsible stalls, they should apply for stands at Bush Lot Market.
“We don’t want no wooden shabby-looking stand in the town, instead vendors can be more organised and vend using makeshift tents and by evening they can remove and the place will clear,” Prabhulall said.
The Mayor added that if at any time the market became overcrowded, the Council would make the tarmac in Cotton Field available to vendors with makeshift stalls.