The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is once again urging vendors at the Stabroek Market Wharf to vacate the dilapidated structure and occupy the new vending area at Russell Square, especially since some 106 stalls are already completed there.
According to the M&CC, 121 vendors who plied their trade at the wharf had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to vacate the area. However, although 106 stalls are completed at the former bus park to facilitate the vendors, only 27 of the stalls are occupied.
Mayor Ubraj Narine
The municipality explained that vendors complained to the Mayor, Ubraj Narine, about security and sanitary facilities. Already, the City Engineer, Kenson Boston, has completed the washroom facilities.
Back in September 2018, the wharf was cordoned off with the intent of barring vendors from utilising the unsafe area.
This move was highly criticised by vendors although they were given the notice to vacate the area. Back then, the former Town Clerk, Royston King, had called a press conference where he said the vendors will be accommodated at minibus parks for at least two years until the wharf is rehabilitated.
Although the vendors were told to remove from the area since then, persons still opted to continue plying their trade at the collapsing structure.
During a recent visit to the structure, several persons were seen vending at the dilapidated facility.
In fact, several zinc sheets had already been blown off by heavy winds, leaving behind the mere frames. The lasting roof, according to vendors, is incapable of keeping the rainfall from affecting them.
Along with the horrific roofing, several boards were missing from the structure’s floor. The remaining woodwork was rotted and covered in garbage at a number of different sections.
Manholes
Meanwhile, come next week, City Hall will be commencing the installation of 40 manhole covers in Georgetown under the City Engineer Department.
The acting City Engineer, Kenson Boston, recently told a statutory meeting that the installation is expected to commence in the Albouystown and Charlestown areas. He, therefore, advised persons to take extra caution given the danger exposed manholes pose.
In the past, several persons were injured as a result of manhole injuries.
