Vendors, constables attached to the Corriverton market square off
Some vendors who operate outside of the Corriverton Market in Region 6 (East Berbice- Corentyne) were locked out of the area, on Saturday morning; as a result a confrontation ensued between the constables and the vendors outside the eastern gate of the market.
According to the aggrieved vendors, they were denied access to the area known as ‘Jumbie track’ where they would sell on Saturdays. Some of them had arrived as early as 4:00h and were greeted with a barrier forbidding access to the area. The ‘No Vending’ marking on the road was a clear indication that the barrier was
The confrontation between the vendors and constables at the Corriverton market
for them.
Residents in the area described the scene as disturbing as the vendors and constables squared off in the street, blocking traffic and disturbing the peace. Vishwadaugh Mohabir who has been vending outside of the Corriverton Market for more than fifteen years, explained that the vendors were not issued with notices, prior to the move.
He said, “Before the elections for Mayor, the Mayor come and tell that we gon can’t sell here that they gon build a place behind the market but lea we sell hea till they build it. So he leff we selling hea.” He explained that when they arrived on Saturday morning a bar was placed across the road and a sign, ‘No Vending’ was written on the road.
Most of the affected were vegetable vendors who had perishables and were therefore forced to set up in another area. Many of their customers are retailers who operate from inside the market. Deodat Persaud has been operation outside the market on Saturdays for the past two decades
“Since this market was rebuilding they put us outside and say when it finish they put us back inside and when the market finish nobody come and tell we anything so we leff right here,” he explained
The Guyana Times understands that the move was not as a result of a decision taken by the Council but rather by one councilor who had an interest in what happens inside the market. Some vendors who operate inside say the illegal move has affected their business. The municipality does not collect revenue from those who vend outside the market.
Meanwhile, motorists have expressed concern that the displaced vendors have now taken up positions along the road shoulders.
Mohammed Fazil Ali, says he is now forced to compete with the vendors for a small section of the parapet.
“The situation that ends up here now is that vendors selling both sided and people buying too. So when people stand up both sided of the street buying, what happen with the traffic?”
The vegetable vendors also noted that other vendors are vending on the street and who also do not pay revenue for vending there and were not blocked from selling.
This publication was informed that the Town Council was not informed of any decision to have the vendors removed. Efforts to contact the Town Clerk on Saturday proved futile.
