Along with concessional loans which were offered to them by Demerara Bank Ltd, some of the Parika vendors have received the $300,000 which was promised to them by the Government of Guyana to offset their fire losses.
According to Chairman of the Parika\Mora Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Jaideo Sookhoo, distribution of the grants commenced two Fridays ago to some of the vendors who had fallen victim to the fire that completely destroyed the Parika Market Complex along with their stalls and goods on February 10.
Asked if temporary spaces have since been identified to place the vendors, Sookhoo said that the ministers along with NDC and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), “… are still working on an alternative for the vendors for temporary vending. We are hoping to build up something at the fishery area right in Parika… The street that they call Fishery Street right next to the marketing centre and we’re hoping to place them there in the meantime… We’re working night and day, so as soon as that area is complete they’ll be placed there just for temporary.”
The chairman further stated, “Based on ministers’ opinion the work will be continued and a modern market will be built… but this time I don’t know if it will be the same construction company but they are hoping to finish it within three months.”
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall had told the media that the contract would have to be reviewed and a decision made on a way forward. The Parika Market Complex was in its second phase of rehabilitation which cost $270 million when the fire erupted.
According to Dharamlall, at the time of the fire, some 44 vendors were occupying the market complex which consisted of 160 stalls. Vendors in front of the complex along the roadside had also suffered great losses since their stalls and stocks were all lost in the fire.
Based on the report by the Guyana Fire Service, the cause of the fire was residue from a welding torch that fell into a storage bond and ignited nearby combustible materials. During the chaotic scene of the fire, many vendors had recollected hearing sounds of what they suspected as explosives. According to them, the workmen were welding on the roof of the market complex when sparks from the welding fell into a stall that was allegedly selling fireworks.
