Vendors who operated along New Market Street opposite the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation were on Wednesday morning removed by the Ministry of Public Works and Mayor Ubraj Narine has since met with them on a way forward.
According to a press release issued by Narine, he met with the vendors on Friday and indicated that he will continue to advocate on their behalf to protect their right to provide for their families in a neat and clean environment. “I will continue to stand with you to ensure that you can provide for your families,” he said.
The Ministry of Public Works on Monday initially started the process of removing the makeshift stalls, sheds, carts, caravans, motor vehicles, and other receptacles used for vending outside Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
However, late on Monday night the situation took a major turn when Narine lay in a truck’s path to prevent the removal of a caravan. Narine also also made controversial statements about Presidential Irfaan Ali, for which he has since apologised.
Narine and opposition parliamentarian Sherod Duncan were subsequently jointly charged with the offences of using a computer system to attempt to excite ethnic divisions and attempting to excite hostility or ill-will on the grounds of race. They were also jointly charged for the obstruction of traffic, while Narine faces an additional traffic charge.
They were placed on bail for the cybercrime charge, and racial hostility charge in the sum of $200,000 each. They were released on their own recognizances wth regard to the remaining charges.