Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall has given vendors at Anna Regina, in Region Two, another two weeks to halt all roadside vending and to relocate to the Bush Lot market.
Dharamlall’s announcement, delivered yesterday to some vendors, members of the Anna Regina Town Council, Vendors, and regional officials during a special meeting held in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), at Anna Regina, led to a protest by vendors opposed to the move.
Anna Regina has over 150 roadside vendors whose families have been vending at the same spots for over 30 years and they are adamant that they would not leave. However, Dharamlall, who called on vendors to cooperate, said the regional administration along with the Anna Regina Town Council will ensure that all the necessary facilities are available to make the vendors comfortable at the Bush Lot market tarmac location. He also that the tarmac will be paved so that they can vend comfortably. He added that when the vendors move, it will pave way for massive development in the township, including needed road works. A road project at Anna Regina has already been delayed by three weeks due to vendors not wanting to move.