The Ministry of Public Works has extended an invitation to vendors who ply their trade along the Kingston Seawall, Georgetown, to meet to discuss the ongoing road project, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill told Stabroek News on Friday.
According to the Ministry of Public Works, Sea Defence Department notice to vendors, the meeting will be held today at the Ministry of Public Works, Fort Street, Kingston, Sea Defence Board Room.
The notice stated that the meeting will be held in connection with vendor occupancy of the Georgetown Seawall reserves located between Camp and Vlissengen roads. A vendor, who did not wish to be named, told Stabroek News that they were required to pay $10,000 per month to the Sea Defence Department for the spots they are occupying. However, last November they were told by the head of the department that their monthly dues will not be collected until further notice.
According to the vendor, they are unaware of what triggered the sudden change but they are not alarmed since there was no indication of a formal statement that they were being removed from the area. Further, vendors beyond the monument area are expected to be allocated vacant vending spots between (Camp and Vlissengen roads) along the seawall to create order and ensure the lots are distributed properly.
The seawall, which is a popular hangout spot for many, has seen recent developments as vendors ventured into setting up covered mini bars with tables and chairs to accommodate customers. A wide variety of food is also featured there.
Vendors emphasized that they are open for discussion about their occupancy and added that before they occupied spots along the area, applications with layouts had to be submitted to the Ministry of Public Works for approval. They were then granted permission to do business.
After approval they were issued with contracts that included their lot numbers. Prior to the sudden change in dues collection, frequent visits were made to the area to ensure that layouts of businesses were not violating the submitted proposals.
