No more landing fees to be charged at markets – Local Government Minister

Markets are no longer authorised to charge landing fees. This is according to Local Government and Regional Development Minister Priya Manickchand.
The announcement came as she spoke with the media after meeting with vendors of the Corriverton Market in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Friday.
The Minister met with vendors to address issues of their concern.

One of the issues raised was the impact that landing fees are having on the cost of goods, as one vendor who operates a mini-supermarket explained that she has to pay a fee for every item she takes into the market.
“We are not going to be collecting landing fees anymore,” Minister Manickchand declared to an appreciative audience.
The vendors welcomed the news as the Minister announced the permanent removal of landing fees.
Explaining her decision to this publication, Minister Manickchand said after the issue was raised by the vendors, she telephoned President Dr Irfaan Ali and was instructed that landing fees at all markets will be a thing of the past.
The landing fee, previously charged to vendors for bringing goods into the market, has long been a point of contention. Its removal is part of a broader effort by the Ministry to support small businesses and reduce the financial burdens faced by market vendors.
Meanwhile, Manickchand, who took over at the helm of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development two weeks ago, made Corriverton Market vendors her first engagement with vendors.

Engaging vendors on issues and solutions
Among the issues raised by those vendors who attended the meeting was the need for improved facilities at the market.
They told the Minister that the market is not being properly cleaned, and its roof leaks. Some vendors claim that they have suffered tremendous losses as a result.
The vendors also spoke of animals in the market, which create additional hardship for them. Many of the animals leave unwanted things behind.
Poor security in the market and the lack of proper fencing are some of the reasons the Minister was told that contribute to the high number of stray animals found in the market daily.
Additionally, the vendors say that the lack of adequate security also allows vagrants to roam the market.
Illegal vending was another issue raised by some of the vendors.
Vendors say that since the management of the market’s solid waste was privatised, the facility has not been properly cleaned.
Turning attention to infrastructure issues, Minister Manickchand addressed vendor concerns about a leaking roof, which has impacted daily business operations.
She challenged both contractors and vendors to work together to allow repairs to proceed efficiently. “You can’t fix one piece in a day,” she said, noting that the contractor now requires one full week to complete the roofing work, from 7:00h to 17:00h daily.

To accommodate this, vendors were asked to adjust their hours – either by closing for a week or allowing work to begin each day after midday, which would extend the project to two weeks.
After some back-and-forth, vendors agreed to a compromise: starting Monday, they will sell only in the morning, clearing their stalls by 12 noon each day to allow the contractor access. This arrangement is expected to last for two weeks.
“This is the kind of solution we need. We can either quarrel or we can work together,” the Minister said. “We’ve already removed the landing fees. Now let’s fix this roof so business can run better.”
Minister Manickchand was firm on enforcing accountability from the contractors. When discussing the market fence repairs, she clarified misinformation around the timeline.
“You have until November 27 to finish the fence; that is the contractual date,” she said, directly addressing the contractor. “Don’t tell me next month when the contract says November 27. Be straight with me so I can be straight with the people.”
Minister Manickchand’s visit was marked by a hands-on, no-nonsense approach focused on listening to the community and finding realistic solutions in real time.
“What I want is for your life to be easier when I leave here,” she told the vendors. “Let’s fix what we can – together.”
With the removal of landing fees and clear plans in place for roof and fence repairs, vendors are hopeful that this marks a turning point in improving conditions at the market.