By Shuntel Glasgow
Vendors along the popular hangout known as ‘Plaisance Line-Top’ who had been on the Railway Embankment for years were issued letters to vacate their spots within seven days for a four-lane road expansion.
More than 60 vendors are likely to be affected as a result of the project. Yesterday marked the seventh day since the letters were distributed.
The letter from the Ministry of Public Works signed by Chief Works Officer, Ron Rahaman, and titled ‘Encumbrances of the road along the East Coast Demerara Public Road’ said that the road reserve along the entire public road network is the property of the Government of Guyana and that the ministry observed persons had occupied/encroached upon the road reserve with tractors, trailers, derelict vehicles, and roadside vending etc. The missive then instructed that all encroachment on the road reserve be removed within seven days. Failure to comply will result in the ministry utilizing all appropriate measures to have those encumbrances removed and charges instituted in accordance with Chapter 51:01 of the Road Act of the Laws of Guyana.
Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill told Stabroek News last evening that the four-lane road project is underway from Sheriff Street and will continue along the railway embankment area.
He added that the area that is being occupied by the vendors is a government reserve and as such they ought to remove, “they are occupying the government reserve and they need to remove from there.”
The vendors were also last evening notified that there will be a meeting at the primary school this evening with the government to discuss their concerns.
The Plaisance Railway Embankment has been occupied for a number of years by vegetables, food and beverage vendors. It is also a popular hangout spot where food and beverage vendors ply their trade mostly at nights. On Saturdays and Sundays, farmers would usually bring and sell their produce at the market and on the embankment.
That specific area is usually studded with caravans, tents and stalls. Vendors are also now claiming that rates and taxes are paid to and collected annually by the Neighbourhood Democratic Council for occupied spots.
A visit yesterday by Stabroek News to the Plaisance Railway Embankment revealed dissatisfaction among vendors about the notice given to evacuate the government road reserve. Fiona De Souza, a food vendor, told Stabroek News that since she was given the letter, frustration has gripped her. De Souza says that she has a mortgage to pay along with other necessities like light and water bills, just to mention a few. De Souza explained that vending has been her main source of income for approximately one year. The mother of three added that if the notice had stated ‘months’ she would have had the time needed to seek out other alternatives so as to keep providing for her family.
Aubrey Peters, a bread vendor who has occupied his space for 20 years, stated that he received the letter to evacuate but reasoned that the vendors were not properly engaged, and by extension, no one visited to conduct an impact assessment surrounding the project. Peters said that the man tasked with distributing the letter simply said, “It’s government land, yall get off”, and then proceeded to serve the letter. Karen Gittens, a single parent explained that she was the first food vendor on the Plaisance Railway Embankment. She had been occupying her spot for 30 plus years and related that it is the only trade she knows. Gittens said her life revolves around her business since her bills including utilities are paid by her business.
A distressed Gittens explained that it will be difficult to start again from scratch. She questioned, “How could I pick this up now and start from scratch? Where will we get it from when they take this away from us? What they want we do then? Thief to get it?” She opined that an increase in crime within the area might result if vendors are no longer allowed to ply their trade since the area caters for diverse vending opportunities. “I think it is unfair, they should give us more time.”
In a statement yesterday, the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly – Guyana (IDPADA-G) expressed concern that many of the citizens who may be affected have not been properly notified in a timely manner and/or consulted as should be the standard practice.
“Even worse, potentially affected persons in Plaisance were not issued notices directly. Some persons received general notices stuck in their gates and elsewhere requesting that vending stalls, vehicles, tractor trailers, and other structures be removed within seven days of receipt of the notice.
Notices were, however, not specifically addressed or delivered to any person”, the statement said.
IDPADA-G said it is concerned about a possible repeat of the Mocha Arcadia debacle and urged Government to take all necessary steps to avoid the “recurrence of that injustice”.
It added: “Every citizen who might be affected by this project should be consulted, given ample official notice, and provided sufficient means and assistance for the continued pursuit of their livelihoods and enjoyment of homesteads and related activities”.
