Vending, legal or illegal, is an issue to be addressed

Dear Editor,
Vending is now a serious problem in our country. However, vending is a necessity and is very convenient for the population at times.
While vending can, and sometimes does, prove to be a traffic hazard, leaving the surroundings messy and creating a place from where criminals and bandits prowl on our citizens, our country – like any other country – would have to appreciate and accommodate some amount of vending.
As the Christmas season approaches, we will witness much more vending, and people would appreciate the situation. However, it is imperative that serious measures be put in place to prevent havens where dangerous bandits operate freely, particularly during the busy shopping season.
Guyana is on the rise. Development is taking place at a fast rate, hence legitimising vending and providing safe spaces for vendors must be accompanied by adequate security for our citizens. Vendors must not offer security and hiding space for criminals and thieves who are around the markets.
We must appreciate that vending takes place where commuters and people traverse – at the market places, junctions, parks/carparks and venues that attract people, particularly during peak hours. These are some of the spaces that attract vendors.
Vending is a business. Our vendors must ply their trade at the appropriate places and times which are most suitable. The place of vending must be kept clean, and must not be littered and rendered unhealthy. Vendors at road corners and street parapets must not cause traffic problems.
Vendors must be responsible for their customers’ wellbeing. School children in particular must purchase their fruits and snacks in the appropriate hygienic environment.
Our people love fresh fruits and vegetables, and housewives on their way home usually make these purchases at the most convenient venue. Also, many persons love to take their breakfast on their way to work, hence the food handlers must be clean and provide quality service to the working population.
The Ministries of Agriculture, Public Works, Health, Home Affairs and Tourism must work together to empower the vendors and guide them to work within the law. With all the development taking place in the country, the Municipalities, Regional Democratic Councils and Neighborhood Democratic Councils must derive means and identify cites where vendors can be placed.
The pandemic is with us, and our people must be protected. We must have attractive facilities with all the necessary accommodation, while the markets must have bathrooms and, where necessary, seating facilities. Service providers must dress properly. Food handlers and service providers must look elegant, and at all times be polite and courteous to the public.
Guyana is a tourist destination, and we must invest to make our country more attractive. We must have more night facilities, floodlight-type atmosphere, so as to have real night-time economic activities. As such, our communities must be spick and span, and inviting at all times for recreation and enjoyment. Our designs must enfranchise and empower our communities to produce a commodity that would make our country a special place.
Roadside vending, market and seawall vending must be clean and attractive. All relevant stakeholders must put Guyana first. We must develop a culture of cleanliness and safety.
Our country is known for high-class hospitality, we need to promote and respect our small businesses. Hence, vending must be protected and encouraged, so that our country and people could be a better place. Guyana must have a Vendors’ Association which would operate in the best interest of our country.

Sincerely,
Neil Kumar