The Mayor and City Council will soon implement a policy to regularise vending throughout the city.
At a meeting with scores of vendors at City Hall yesterday, acting Town Clerk Julian Orgista stated that the policy is in the final stages and would see vendors being registered.
He explained that once implemented, vendors are expected to meet the necessary requirements in order to be allowed to ply their trade, including the wearing of badges.
He made a point of mentioning garbage, which the council sees as a major issue, and he advised that vendors have receptacles nearby to keep the environment clean and for hygiene purposes.
Orgista noted that it is unsightly when they leave their operating stations untidy and reminded vendors to practice orderly vending as they work together.
Additionally, he urged vendors to be guided by the market standards and asked that they remember the height their supplies should be off the ground.
Orgista specifically highlighted the need for food vendors to follow the necessary requirements, including obtaining valid food handlers’ certificates.
Mayor Ubraj Narine who also addressed the vendors, announc-ed his commitment to standing by them. He noted that vending is their means of income and stressed that he will not stand by and allow anyone to remove them.
He announced that the council is working to have vendors registered, which would involve the issuance of identification cards and allocation of numbers to mark their spots, all in the hope of organising vending.
He later reiterated the need for vendors to follow the right channel as it relates to vending and asked that they keep themselves orderly and their surroundings clean.
Narine stated that it was recognised that food vendors are operating without the right documentation and added that he has since asked those individuals to close their operations until they have sorted their documents out.
Narine, who also stressed that he will not accept any form of misconduct or corrupt activities within City Hall, while mentioning the City Constabulary and revenue levels, encouraged vendors to demand a receipt when making payments.
He also encouraged vendors to stay safe and follow the COVID-19 guidelines and to abide by the laws and policies that govern the city.
Meanwhile, Eon Andrews, President of the Guyana Market Vendors Union, took note of the concerns over garbage and pointed out that they are often blamed although there are cases where they have witnessed vagrants dumping store waste.
Additionally, he called on the City Constabulary to be more active in taking legal action against persons breaking the rules.
He also highlighted the need to establish a better working relationship between vendors, revenue staff and some constabulary officers
In an invited comment, Dwain Hicks, a member of the vendors union, stated that he was grateful to Narine for the care he shows. He stated that Narine engages in team work and involves the union in any activity involving vendors.
He said he is happy that vendors came out in support of all that has been happening and is thankful for the relationship the union and Mayor and City Council has.
Meanwhile, several vendors attended the meeting and showed their support for Mayor Narine.
He was described as someone who stood by them. (Readawne Henery)
