Poor sanitation, blocked access spark complaints at Lusignan Market

…AG assembles team to address issues

About a year after the opening of the new Lusignan Market, East Coast of Demerara (ECD), vendors and shoppers have raised a number of concerns, including poor sanitation and other issues affecting the facility.
In response, Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall, who holds Parliamentary responsibility for the village, has assembled a team to address the concerns and improve conditions at the market.
In fact, Nandlall on Friday led a delegation to inspect the facility and gain first-hand insight into the issues being raised.
Accompanying Nandlall were Members of Parliament (MPs) Suresh Singh and James Bond, officials from the Public Works Ministry, as well as councillors from the Neighbourhood Democratic Council.
“We walked the market, we examined, we spoke with the people, most importantly, both the vendors and the purchasers, we documented the grievances, challenges and concerns raised,” Nandlall said in a Facebook Live at the conclusion of his visit.

Among the issues raised are poor sanitation and untimely garbage collection, the use of temporary stalls, and blocked access ways.
“All these issues we have looked at and we will assemble a team to examine the crucial issues and see how best we can address them going forward,” Nandlall posited.
Moreover, he explained that the team will develop recommendations to address the issues, underscoring the importance of the active participation of all stakeholders throughout the process.
“Of course, the success of this venture depends upon their cooperation. This market is not the Government market; it is the people’s market. So how they want the market to configure, how they want the market to function, the sanitary conditions that they want to operate under are all matters that require their cooperation and their participation. So, the Government will facilitate it and ensure we offer the highest and most technical support possible to ensure that the market is conducted in a clear, sanitary and conducive environment,” he noted.
Some $123 million was expended to construct the modern market facility at Lusignan.
The Government has said it is committed to improving the standards of markets across the country. In fact, this year, some $4.9 billion has been allocated for the rehabilitation, reconstruction or construction of markets across the country.
Moreover, the Government has pledged to standardise markets nationwide, ensuring that all facilities comply with modern standards of safety, sanitation, and infrastructure.
Markets slated for works this year include East Ruimveldt, Albouystown, Rose Hall, Number 79, New Amsterdam, Mahdia, Lethem, Mackenzie, Port Kaituma, Suddie, Leonora, Zeelugt, Vreed-en-Hoop, Tuschen, Mon Repos, Rosignol, Palmyra, Port Mourant, Bath, and Soesdyke.
“We want our vendors to operate in a wholesome, organised space where they can earn for themselves and their families, and we want shoppers to have the experience that would be pleasant for them to shop in the market,” Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand had expressed during the budget debates earlier this year.