The Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill yesterday stated that roadside vendors along the main roadways of Georgetown have to relocate or seek alternative jobs.
Following a site visit at the Sheriff/Mandela Avenue road project, the Public Works Minister said that he has observed many persons who have started roadside vending along main roadways and referred to the activity as a road safety hazard. Further, he said it is a violation which will have to be dealt with by the ministries of Local Government and Public Works and the Mayor and City Council.
He further noted that he was sure that many of these vendors will offer several reasons to explain their actions. Reasons such as being single parents trying to make a living, the effects of the pandemic among other excuses, the minister said, are expected. Nevertheless, these persons, he said, will have to find an alternative because of the safety issues involved. He pointed out that the roads need space for drainage after rain and that these persons who occupy the roads’ shoulders are blocking the water flow.
Also, there is a buildup of traffic every time a vehicle stops to buy from these vendors and this cannot be encouraged, he added. The minister did not say when or what actions will be brought forward to end roadside vending along main roads but iterated that it is an issue to be addressed.
Edghill noted that moral suasion and voluntary compliance are among the ways to have these persons remove from these spots, but said he is not afraid of using the enforcement of the law if the need arises. The minister reminded that so far these persons have been met with leniency but declared, “We got to stop lawlessness.” He said that the creation of jobs which the president has been pushing is a way to encourage these persons to have other options. Whether in information and communications technology (ICT), agro-processing, or construction within the housing projects, Edghill said these persons need to find other options. He said these persons need to seek something long-term and the government doesn’t want to just come in and tell them that they have to leave. Instead, opportunities are being provided and it’s up to these persons to decide whether to take it or not.
He also mentioned that the support offered by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is among the options that persons can benefit from. He said that the road side hustle cannot continue to happen and especially not at major road corners. “So everybody who is out in encumbering roadways and occupying road shoulders to make a hustle, start thinking from today about relocating and like I said, there are sufficient opportunities that exist so that you can upgrade yourself.” adding that their hustle can sometimes interfere with development and progress of road work.
In August, the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall in the presence of the Town Council at Anna Regina, in Region Two, had given vendors a deadline to stop all roadside vending. They had been advised to relocate to the Bush Lot Market. The ultimatum was met with a protest by some of the 150 vendors who have been vending at Anna Regina roadside for many years. The protest was organised by PNCR Region Two Chairman, Prince Holder.
