By Heppilena Ferguson
A city businessman says that the barricades erected outside the Camp Street prison are proving detrimental to his business and he fears he may be forced to close.
Johnny Singh, owner of the Guyana Variety Store and Nut Centre, located obliquely opposite the Camp Street entrance to the prison, said that since the barricades were erected late last year there has been a marked decline in business in what was once a vibrant area. He said he has been forced to lay off five of his employees.
Singh aired his concerns in a letter which he said he sent to several media houses, including the Stabroek News, where it was published. When this newspaper contacted Singh on Thursday the man said that since last weekend he had only made one sale. The man explained that on December 1 he noticed a sign painted on Camp Street between Bent and Durban streets which said that on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays no vehicle would be allowed to enter that area from 7 am to 6 pm. Singh said in the past, on Tuesdays and Thursdays the road would usually be blocked but recently the road has been blocked all day and night and this has taken a toll on his business.
The man said he was never informed of the decision made by the authorities so he contacted Director of Prisons Dale Erskine about the issue. He said Erskine told him that he was aware that in order to access his store customers would have to walk to the store from a corner away. Singh said the director then advised him to write the relevant authorities about the issue. He said he again questioned the decision taken to erect the barricades, “I mean these people blind, you suffocating me from making money, what is happening in this country?” The man said business was already “bad” and he was ashamed that he was forced to retrench some of his employees. He said he has only retained one staff and “I have to pay her and all my overheads from my pocket because nothing ain’t doing at the store,” he added.
Singh said he had only recently invested huge sums of money to refurbish the store and during the Christmas season he only made five per cent of his expected sales. He contends that the authorities should have made a more informed decision and questions how they could have decided to block such a busy section of Camp Street, despite the prison, for such an extended period. “I think the time for decency has passed and for me to appeal to the government to revisit that decision,” Singh said.
Meanwhile, Singh said his business is a registered local company and he has paid the required taxes. Another branch is located on Robb Street, Lacytown. Therefore, the man contends that it is within his rights to request compensation for the losses he has suffered. “Even if they remove the barricade tomorrow, how am I to catch up with what I have lost, I think I should be compensated,” he insisted. He said he has invested a lot in his business and it was only right that his views be considered.
Singh said he had already renovated his store to accommodate a mini food court and had already won approval from Banks DIH and DDL to sell their products. He said the companies had contributed freezers from which their products would be sold. “But the companies want to know what happening and I can’t disagree with them if they want to take the things back. But the fact is they saw the location and knew it was viable because a lot of traffic passes here,” he said.
Singh told this newspaper that he had also written to the Office of the President, the Office of the Prime Minister, Go-Invest and Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee to air his concerns. He said the minister has since acknowledged receipt of the letter.
Changing posture
When Stabroek News contacted Erskine about Singh’s complaint he said the changing nature of crime demands a change in posture from the security force. He said until such time as the situation changes, security arrangements have to take precedence. He also said he told Singh that nothing could be done to change the security arrangements at the moment.
Erskine said while he clearly understood the man’s concerns; the barricades were put there for security reasons. “I understand his plight as a businessman but we have security responsibilities and we have to be able to respond properly whenever there is any threat to security.” However, the director admitted that neither Singh nor any other businesses was told of the extended security arrangements and he acknowledged that this could have been done by the Officer in Charge of the prisons. He also said he suggested that Singh raise the issue with the relevant authorities.
