Lusignan vendors’ relocation only temporary – NDC Chairman
Chairman of the Mon Repos/La Reconnaissance Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Ayube Mohammed is urging vendors to comply with the instructions to relocate from the Lusignan market place.
Chairman of the Mon Repos/La Reconnaissance Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Ayube Mohammed
The NDC Chairman, during a telephone interview with this newspaper on Monday, pleaded with the vendors to adhere and cooperate with the authorities since the shift is merely temporary.
The Chairman explained that the NDC does not have the authority to move vendors from their respective vending location but asserted that it is the Government of Guyana’s decision to temporarily do so.
“The NDC is not the one that is moving them, it is the Government…. I’ve noticed that there is some space there and we would’ve approached the Government to see if we can have them rehoused right there, which I am hoping will happen because it’s a Lusignan market and I don’t want it to go to Annandale,” he stated.
Mohammed added that facilitating road works along the East Coast of Demerara is a key factor that was taken into consideration during the decision-making process, which he outlined would be hindered if persons continue to sell close by.
When asked about the alleged threats issued by the NDC to have the vendors’ possessions dismantled, Mohammed refuted such claims made by vendors, “That is one of the things that they always keep saying ‘the NDC issuing threats,’ why would we threaten them? If we want to move their stalls, we would’ve moved them, their stalls are all there”.
Nevertheless, the NDC Chairman is assuring vendors that they will return to their original vending spots once the road works are completed. They have since expressed extreme reluctance to move to the temporary location which is in Annandale.
Calls to Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan for a comment on the matter went unanswered.
Over 300 Lusignan vendors were given until January 2019 to relocate to a new vending site situated in Annandale but up to date they have refused to comply, strongly believing that they will suffer significant losses at the new location.
