Several vendors who ply their trade at the Vendor’s Mall on Water Street have expressed concern about yesterday’s deadline by which time they were expected to complete their stalls.
The vendors mostly affected are those who occupy stalls at the rear of the mall. They told this newspaper yesterday that they were unable to completely build their stalls to meet yesterday’s deadline which they said was set by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).
The vendors explained that they only started constructing their stalls late last month as this was necessary since their colleagues at the front of the mall needed space and convenience to build their structures. They said the M&CC had given them permission to vend at another area close to the mall until they finish building their stalls.
However, one upset vendor told this newspaper that two days ago the M&CC related that they would have to occupy their respective stalls from today, irrespective of whether they are completed. The woman said the authorities should give them more time taking into account that most of the vendors are poor.
The single parent mother of two said that the construction of her incomplete stall has so far cost her in excess of $300,000
The vendors are pleading with the authorities to extend the deadline as they noted that heaps of garbage which the M&CC should have picked up three days ago was present at the back of the mall.
The vendors have also expressed concern about the state of the washroom located at the rear of the mall as well as a fence opposite the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry which the M&CC had promised to renovate two years ago. They said the washroom is currently unfit for human use.
This newspaper detected a strong stench emanating from the washroom area as water flooded areas close to its entrance.
