Vendors near the Stabroek Market Square were made to vacate the area last evening after City Constabulary workers moved to enforce an order to prevent them from selling after 6pm.
Although late night shopping is frequent during the holiday season, the city workers informed the vendors that they were acting on instructions from Minister of Transport Robeson Benn.
It was noted that it was established that they would sell from 6am to 6pm and after that period no vending will be done.
However, the vendors stated that every year during the Christmas season they are normally allowed to sell after the curfew and this is the first year that it is being enforced at this time. They also complained that the move was unfair to them, especially while others were still allowed to continue their trade along the roadside. They also pointed out that it is the holiday season and it is during this time that they get a lot of customers, especially in the evenings when business is at its peak.
When Stabroek News visited the area last evening, some vendors were busy removing their stocks before they could be seized by the city workers. Others faced down the workers and sounded their disgust at their actions.
“This is Christmas time, so we does get extra time but the problem now is everybody selling and we can’t… we ain’t sell a dollar for the day. The road ain’t start ge money yet,” one vendor said.
“Only this section alone getting target? why we alone getting target?… I need answers. They clear in front the market and watch now people deh selling and dem ain’t suppose to be deh,” another lamented. This vendor added that he has been selling in the area for a number of years and this was the first time that he and others were being asked to move at six. He said it seemed that “somebody want money in dem pocket.”
In the past, vendors in the vicinity of the Stabroek Market Square had their stalls removed in an attempt to stop roadside vending. Soon after the area was cleared, however, vendors began to reoccupy their spots as they claimed they needed the spots to sustain their only sources of income.
