‘Safety our highest priority’ -Town Clerk
– on removal of vendors from Stabroek Market Wharf
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, September 13, 2018
Vendors who ply their trade at the Stabroek Market Wharf had their operations ceased due to the untenable state of the jetty. This was disclosed by Town Clerk of Georgetown Royston King during a press conference in the chambers of the City Council today.
King said a 14-day cease order notice was given to all who operated businesses at the market following a structural inspection by the City’s engineer Colvern Venture. His findings deemed the environment unsuitable for vending and recommended that the entire wharf will be closed to the public within the next week.
“This is being done to protect the lives of those who ply their trade at that wharf which has collapsed on two different occasions. Anyone who is not a stall holder will not be allowed to linger at that facility. The situation is life-threatening” the Town Clerk underscored.
The move by the council will affect 89 vendors, 42 of whom vend perishable goods such as fruits and other cash crops. When questioned by the media as to whether or not the council had taken into consideration that such persons stand to face tremendous loss, King doubled down on his statement stating that protecting lives comes first.
“They have a right to earn a living but the first right is the right to life and that is the first right we wish to protect… the citizens who support the vendors are also endangering their own lives when they venture upon that wharf” the Town Clerk stated.
Nevertheless, King highlighted that the council is working to relocate the vendors west of Parliament building. However, the relocation process is delayed. King said that the council is awaiting funds from the treasury and needs another three to four weeks to complete preparations before the vendors will be allowed to ply their trade.
By: Isaiah Braithwaite.
Image: Leon Leung.