New space secured for over 160 displaced Parika Market vendors – 2 years after devastating fire

Following a devastating fire caused by welding sparks that ignited explosive materials and left more than 160 registered vendors without stalls, the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry has successfully designated a new trading space for the vendors.
After the destructive blaze, vendors were forced to ply their trade along surrounding roadways, resulting in increased congestion and safety concerns.
To address the situation, consultations were held on December 3 between the affected vendors and Minister Priya Manickchand, and a solution was derived.
Speaking on the move, Manickchand acknowledged that the vendors’ previous situation was uncomfortable, noting that they were exposed to difficult conditions, including flooding at times, which further underscored the need for an urgent and sustainable solution.

“The Parika vendors who vended alongside the road and have done that for many years, who were themselves uncomfortable because they’d be flooded out often, they were exposed to weather, they were obstructing traffic and free flow of traffic, and pedestrians who were coming off the boat and going onto the boat, and you know it was fairly bad.”
The Minister expressed how pleased she was with the collaboration of the vendors with the ministry to move their stalls from alongside the roadway.
“We had an agreement with the vendors of the Parika market, who vended alongside the road and have done that for many years, who were uncomfortable because they’d be flooded out often.”
In fact, she mentioned that they were even exposed to harsh weather conditions, and they were even obstructing traffic and free flow for pedestrians who were coming off nearby sea vessels.
“[These situations were] fairly bad and so we had an agreement that the vendors would move into the market on or before midnight of the 29.”
The relocation is intended to reduce roadway congestion, improve traffic flow, enhance public safety, and create a more organised and accessible trading environment for both vendors and customers.
Manickchand also stated that the redevelopment of this market serves as a blueprint for other markets across Guyana.

No vending on road
While welcoming the provision of the new space, the Minister made it clear that vendors who continue to operate along the roadway will be removed, as trading on the road will no longer be permitted.
“Any new person who believes that that’s a free space you can vend in, please know now that that’s not going to be allowed either by the vendors here or by authorities… So I’m glad that we have showed [that] together vendors, market committee, NBC, regional chairman and the regional authority, Ministry of Local Government, the Government of Guyana can all cooperate to make sure that we are working together for the good of Guyana, and this is a beautiful model.”
In November, President Dr Irfaan Ali announced an aggressive and wide-ranging plan to upgrade and transform areas across the country, with heavy emphasis on rehabilitating market facilities, strengthening local market management, modernising landfill sites and expanding recreational spaces in urban and suburban communities.
President Ali noted that the Government has already commenced major improvement works aimed at enhancing governance, service delivery and community involvement.
The president emphasised that work has commenced across the country, focusing on landfill sites, markets, beautification, citizen inclusion, and involvement in development and improvement in governance and service delivery at the NDC level. He noted that these initial areas will be pursued vigorously.
In Guyana, the local Government is made up of 80 Local Government Organs (LGO), comprising 70 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and 10 municipalities.