Scores of roadside vendors at Anna Regina yesterday defied official notices for them to relocate, setting up a potential showdown with the Town Council as Mayor Rajendra Prabhulall said their stalls would be dismantled.
The vendors have ignored the council’s decision to remove and say they will continue to vend and protest until they are given permission to continue to sell in their present locations.
Vendors were issued notices months ago by the Town Council to remove so that the construction of two roads within the market area could begin.
Stabroek News understands that the roads project is two weeks behind schedule due to the non-cooperation from vendors.
Mayor of Anna Regina Rajendra Prabhulall said that while some vendors are co-operating there are at least five vendors encouraging others to remain. Prabhulall is maintaining that the council will not tolerate any roadside vending and will be moving to dismantle stalls so that the construction of the roads can commence. The Mayor has maintained that there are sufficient stalls at the Bush Lot market at Cotton Field to accommodate all those vendors that are vending on the road at Anna Regina.
When Stabroek News met with a few vendors at the Anna Regina Market, they stated that their current location offers them more business. According to one of the vendors, Steve Reid, they met with the contractor and were told that he will only require 20 feet to construct the road. Reid said that as a result the vendors will be moving back their stalls and giving the necessary space to the contractor so he can proceed with his work.
“On Sunday we the vendors decide that we will come and push back we stall. We will give the contractor 22 feet instead of 20 feet and we will stay in the corner. Where we are at the moment is central—everybody knows us here; business bright,” Reid said.
When asked why he is not cooperating with the council, Reid said that the area where the council wants them to go is next to a burial ground and business will suffer if they relocate to there. He also questioned what will happen to vendors whenever there is a funeral.
A vegetable vendor, Gaitree (the only name given), said that she has been vending for 39 years and never was asked to move. She said that she continues to pay stall fees to the Council. Gaitree said she will not be moving but she is willing to ensure that the contractor gets sufficient space for the construction of the roads.
Another vegetable vendor Sabitree Persaud, said that through vending she earns her livelihood. She, too, is reluctant to move and called on the Anna Regina Town Council to reconsider its decision to move vendors. They also said that vending under make-shift tents at Bush Lot does not make sense and explained that during the rainy season the tents are not durable.
Meanwhile, the mayor said that the Bush Lot market is equipped with the necessary amenities conducive for vending. Prabhulall said that the council will be working assiduously with the Region Two administration to ensure that the roads project commences and the system is put in place to remove the vendors.
