No more roadside vending will be allowed – Anna Regina Mayor

…vendors protest decision

To facilitate the construction of a new road in the vicinity of the Anna Regina old market, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), the Mayor and Town Council has been battling with roadside vending.
Mayor Rajendra Prabulall said that the construction of the market road would commence shortly and as such, vendors on the road shoulders should demolish all wooden stalls.

However, his call has been met with resistance, as scores of roadside vendors staged another protest against the decision.
Notice letters were sent to vendors on July 15, 2021, in keeping with the municipality’s vision for the town.
“There is a lot of work going on at Bush Lot where all ground workers are to clean the market… The Regional Administration, in collaboration with the Anna Regina Town Council, has started work on the tarmac … vendors were well aware that construction of the market road will commence shortly and are reluctant to move,” Prabulall said on Thursday.

He added that he was concerned about vendors intruding on Government reserves and the public road, and warned that these persons must demolish all permanent structures within seven days.
The Mayor stated that vendors could occupy space at the Cotton Field tarmac to sell their produce, adding that the market road was in a deplorable state and as such, a proper road needed to be built.
“We will work with the vendors… Some can remain at the old market while some can occupy space at the Bush Lot market and the tarmac in the township of Anna Regina, because the road work has to begin and there will be a lot of risk for the vendors as well as customers facilitating the road at that point of time… Large amount of stones, sands and huge machinery will at the site during the massive project and, therefore, people will not go purchase vegetables, as there will be risks,” the Mayor explained.
Prabulall also 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 further said that the Council has invested millions of dollars in solar lights, repainting and refurbishing stalls, and other works to make vendors comfortable and the environment conducive for selling. He added that if vendors were having difficulties in vending using shift stalls or moving, they should apply for stands at Bush Lot Market.

However, disgruntled vendors related that they would not move as their livelihood would be affected. Provision farmer Satesh Mangra said that “the fee the Council was charging for vending on the roadside was $2000 per day”, adding that with the high price of provisions because of the recent flooding, there were low sales “and if we move, most of our usual customers will no longer purchase produce from us.”
A vegetable farmer, Sattie Singh related that vending was her living, as it puts food on her table and pays her bills. Singh added that she was a single mother of three and vending provided necessities for her family.