Vendors further delayed to operate stalls in newly-constructed arcade

Stabroek Wharf relocation

In their bid to resume operations, at the newly-established arcade at the Route 42 minibus park, several vendors have purchased goods, but they were stopped by authorities from doing so until all the stalls are completed.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Saturday, Muneshwar Samad explained that he has bought in excess of $45,000 in goods to commence operations, but was told that all the stalls should be completed first.
He is among the many stallholders who were unable to receive word from City Hall about the status of their new stalls, since the Town Clerk and Mayor were unavailable on several occasions.
One day after buying their goods, the vendors found the entrances to the newly-constructed arcade closed off and were informed that everyone must comply with the requirements before they could vend.
“Some of us who were finished went over [to City Hall], nobody could speak to us if we can start selling, so we get some goods the day before yesterday. All of a sudden, they block off the entrance so people can’t come in and buy if they want and then they tell us that we have to wait now until the area [is] stable.”
Samad explained that some vendors were dragging their feet on the pace of construction which is affecting others. As such, some of them are of the view that they should be able to access the area and utilise the stalls.
“This is close to four month now since we don’t have a livelihood. Some people don’t have money to buy materials for the stand. We don’t know when they finishing so they should consider all of that.”
Meanwhile, Yvonne (only name given) explained that her stall was on the outskirts of the demarcated area and was flanked by unregistered persons plying their trade.
“Persons with umbrellas and tables by the fence selling whole day … So even if we open, I don’t know how I could sell if people can’t come in here,” the disheartened woman stated.
She added, “The Council got to take some action against people that selling for free and disturbing we, because we paying them. They leaving their garbage all around and it’s really affecting everybody. They need to send people here to see what we have to deal with.”
Two weeks ago, Samad told this publication that many concerns were raised about the number of vagrants in the area and some who were taking the liberty of spending their nights in the structures which were yet to be completed.
“We never had this problem at first … Now, every day somebody is coming and they sleeping in the stalls…some bringing garbage and all kinda thing.”
When the vendors resume operations, City Hall will be paid $3400 for the smaller stalls, measuring five feet by eight feet with a height of 13 feet. The standard size, measuring 10 feet by eight feet and 13 feet high, would cost vendors $6800 in rent per month.
As a result of the collapse of a section of the Stabroek Wharf which resulted in the relocation, City Hall had informed that it was awaiting a response from Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, as it relates to the next steps for the rehabilitation.