Vendors complain of derelict Stabroek Market wharf

– awaiting repairs promised by Town Clerk

By Ramona Luthi

Three months after promising major upgrades at the Stabroek Market Wharf works are yet to commence.
In January Town Clerk Royston King had announced that there will be “massive upgrade” at the facility.
On Monday Guyana Times visited the wharf where vendors expressed disappointment that no such repairs had commenced and the wharf continues to deteriorate.

According to vendors and water taxi captains plying the Georgetown/Vreed-en-Hoop route who use the wharf on a regular basis, their complaints continue to be ignored as no change or repairs are forthcoming.
“You know how much times we complain? Dem keep saying they gon fix it and all dem nice promises fuh the media, but nothin’ ain’t happening.’’
One vendor near the wharf said he fears for his life daily, as the rotting boards and posts could collapse at any time. He however pointed out that this is his only means of income and has no other choice but to continue vending at the location.
“Watch dem boards hay. If yuh too heavy, yuh go fall through. Yuh ga fuh tek yuh time and watch every board wen yuh walking. One slip up and yuh fall,” the worried man said.
Other vendors complained that because the structure is derelict heavy winds usually cause zinc sheets from the collapsed roof to fall.
“Wen breeze blow hard, yuh ga’a move way fast cause the zinc might fall and chop yuh,’’ one vendor said.
The vendor added that some parts of the roof were just patches made with old rusted sheets which does not prevent rain from beating down on their stalls.
“Watch da ting dem call roof? That is a danger hazard. Plus it ain’t even stopping the rain from coming in.’’ It was demonstrated by one man that some boards were not even nailed and would sometimes raise on one end when a person stepped on it.
Walking along the wharf, persons pointed out the rotted boards and wide spaces between some boards. They added that persons could quite possibly fall into the river, if they do not look where to walk. One man said, “Dem don’t listen to we. Wata falling all over. It got big, big space weh we ga’a walk. But wa we gon do? We ga fuh mek a living somehow.’’
Meanwhile efforts to contact the Town Clerk proved futile.