Residents of the Diamond and Grove communities on the East Bank of Demerara will now have access to a convenient shopping area with the handing over of the Diamond Market Tarmac to the Neighbourhood Demo-cratic Council (NDC) by the ministry of Local Government yesterday.
The tarmac, built at a cost of $24,499,134 over an almost two year period, will serve as the market place for vending and has the capacity to accommodate 390 stalls, of which 201 have already been booked.
Minister of Local Government Ganga Persaud, who was present at the simple handing over ceremony, said that he hopes residents within the community make full use of the facility. Overseer of the Diamond/Grove NDC Parmanand Babulall, meanwhile, said that the new addition to the community will create employment and convenient shopping for residents. He added that the new vending area also has the potential of becoming the economic hub of the Grove/Diamond area.
Vendors will be allowed to sell on removable stalls at the tarmac six days per week until 6pm. A market committee, comprising vendors, officials from the ministry and the regional council, is also being established to oversee the daily operation of the tarmac and to address issues that may arise.
Apart from vending, the tarmac will also be used to accommodate recreational activities, such as crusades and other community activities that are hosted by members of the community.
Vendors will therefore have to remove their stalls so as to accommodate such activities, but according to the NDC chairman, Deochand Boodhoo, the NDC is working on a system to relieve vendors of the hassle of moving their stalls when needed. He said they are looking at setting up an area behind the tarmac to accommodate the stalls during that period.
Vendors who wish to occupy a stall at the tarmac can visit the NDC’s office and fill out an application form. They will also be required to pay a fee of $1,400 per month for use of the facility.
This new vending area is expected to prevent vendors from vending along the streets in the area, Boodhoo added.
He mentioned that street vending has been a problem that has been destroying the roads in the community, since vendors would normally clear the areas next to the roads to vend.
Provisions are also in place to have the area fenced, so as to curtail persons from using the area for purposes other than its primary functions.
After the handing over, a few residents who were present inquired from NDC officials about the arrangements in place for vendors as well as the operation of the new market area.
