Bourda vendors feeling effects of inclement weather

…says sale reduced significantly

Several vendors who ply their trades along Robb Street, Georgetown, at Bourda Market have raised concerns about the effects of the recent inclement weather conditions on their businesses.
Guyana Times visited some of the vendors on Saturday, who explained their plights and the issues that are being faced as a result of the heavy rainfall.
One of the main problems the vendors experienced was the significant reduction in sales of their produce throughout the day.
This was as a result of patrons refusing to venture through the constant morning showers to obtain their goods.
“We come out early this morning [to] sell but you hardly see anybody cause no nobody wants to come out in this rain.”
Consequently, it was revealed that many of their produce remained unsold even in the late afternoon hours. Perishable goods, such as fruits and vegetables would be damaged if they are not sold since they cannot be kept for the next day. This they revealed would cause significant losses in their businesses. Those who had families to care for were even more concerned about this situation.
“This is something that you can’t keep so I don’t know what [is] going to happen. We didn’t even make half of what we would make at the end of the day.”
A vendor, who markets his goods along Robb Street, told this publication that the weather conditions will significantly affect their livelihoods if the number of customers remain scanty in the coming days.
Apart from the loss in sales, there are other major problems that have been affecting the vendors. It was reported on Friday that approximately 30 merchants were arrested by City Constabulary officers after they were told that they were plying their trades beyond the time frame of three hours.
Guyana Times understands that the vendors were given permission from the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to ply their trades along Robb Street, Bourda for three hours per day, with the cut off point for them being 15:00h.
They recalled that Government had urged them to plant more and to invest in farming. However, according to the vendors, the advice is of no use if they’re being hindered constantly from selling their goods.
Meanwhile, at the Bourda Police Outpost, a large group of vendors were seen seated on the bench inside. When this publication enquired as to which officer could provide information as to why the merchants had been arrested, this news entity was snubbed.
Vendors, who were arrested by the officers revealed that there were many attempts to hinder them from plying their trades at that location. They said it is a routine act for the City Constabulary to harass them for petty issues that are blown out of proportion.
When Guyana Times contacted Town Clerk Royston King regarding the issue, the City Hall official said he had not received an official report on the matter.
However, he said in prior instances, the M&CC had been experiencing some problems with the wholesale vendors who were attempting to extend their activities beyond the three-hour limit. As such, he posited that action had to be taken to bring about some order. (Rupadai Seenaraine)