Engineers have asked vendors at the Stabroek Market Wharf to relocate themselves because of the dire and dangerous state of the structure, Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase–Green said yesterday at a press briefing in City Hall.
She said she was informed by the engineers that they had asked certain vendors on the wharf to relocate themselves, adding that some time ago the council had made a decision to have the wharf closed and vendors moved.
In September, a part of the wharf collapsed after heavy winds hit it, leaving commuters and vendors in danger. Earlier this year, sources at City Hall had indicated that the Stabroek wharf area was likely to see some remedial works. Vendors there had been complaining about the conditions for years.
The roof and floor of the stelling are falling apart, and some zinc on the roof could be seen hanging. The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development had stated that under its $1 billion ‘Clean up my country’ project, sums were allocated for the municipal markets. However, nothing was said whether the Stabroek Market wharf was included. “Had it been any other wharf we would have asked that it be taken down completely…because if you look at the state it is not safe for anyone to be in two feet of that wharf,” Chase-Green said, urging that the decision to have the wharf closed off and vendors relocated be adhered to. She said it would “be a huge task to have that entire stelling reconstructed.”
Former Mayor Ranwell Jordon said the present state of the wharf was dangerous to “life and limb” and suggested that the Deputy Mayor visit the stelling and examine it because they will be held responsible for any damage and deaths. He said there was a need for the relevant authorities to do something to ensure the safety of the vendors.
Chase-Green added that the Kitty Market also continues to be an eye sore for the council since nothing was being done to fence off the building and relocate its vendors.
