By Mia Anthony
Vendors who ply their trade around Demico House, Stabroek have received letters from the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) demanding their immediate removal. They have expressed shock at the suddenness of the missive and the fact that the M&CC has not provided them with an alternative.
In February, at the 68th Annual Shareholders Meeting, Chairman of Banks DIH Clifford Reis had said that the company had made numerous efforts to have the vendors operating around the premises removed but to no avail. Reis had said that Demico House was losing money and the facilities were being abused.
Yesterday, Stabroek News spoke to five of the vendors.
Wendell Baird, who sells at the main entrance of the building, shared, “I have been here almost 35 to 36 years doing my business and I got a letter yesterday saying that vendors need to remove.”
He said he felt he was being wrongfully painted in the eyes of Reis by someone known as “Gajraj”. Baird said the executives of Banks DIH were being misinformed and fed with lies. “Ninety-nine percent of the people around this area support Banks’ water business… Drinks [soda, alcohol] whatever it is,” he said. “We support Banks business.” He added that he has a lot of customers that he caters to on a daily basis and this has caused a rift. “I think he [Gajraj] feels that I am poaching on his business but it is not his, this is Banks DIH business.”
Baird’s stall sports posters of the different products produced by Banks DIH and his goods are no different. He said he only sells products produced by the company. “I don’t sell no other product but Banks’ product,” he lamented.
Gilbert Garrett told Stabroek News that he has been plying his trade in the area for eight years and it was his only source of income to support his family. He said the approach by the M&CC was “very wrong. We pay them a fee every week to sell out here. My stall is not on the pavement, I am over the gutter and allow the pedestrians to walk on the pavement.”
Garrett said the notice wants them to move with immediacy, which poses a challenge. “They [the M&CC] could have called us in to discuss their problem with us and we come to some agreement whereby they give us a time. ‘Cause some of us have things here. For me, I am living till up East Coast… how am I going to move this thing immediately?”
He shared that he takes care of his sick wife. “They didn’t even give us an alternative like they are going to find a spot for us,” he added. “We have car loans and children to send to school… some of us have old parents who depend on us.”
Garrett said he believes in the law. “I am not saying we go against it, but only now they know there’s laws when they were collecting my money [for years]? They didn’t know it was against the law then?” he asked rhetorically. He said vendors should be given time to remove if that is what they are requesting and also a spot where they can continue to do their business.
Debbie Gordon, a food vendor who has been selling food at Stabroek Square in front of Demico House for more than 18 years, said she did not expect the letter. “They just bring the letter and gave us and did not say anything,” she said. Although she expected that the vendors under the Demico canopy would have had to move, she was unaware that those on the streets would have to go as well.
“What next?” she questioned as no word on replacement spots was given. Gordon is the primary caretaker of her grandchildren. “This would be affecting me greatly. I have grandchildren I take care of and I don’t know what’s next,” she repeated. She hopes for a resolution from the M&CC. “They should sort this thing out individually… speak to us and hear what our problems are,” she added
Javier Dover, 25, and Tishawn Douglas, 28, said that their business was their primary source of income. “They want people go and thief?” they jointly asked, while relating that the approach by the M&CC was not one that was well received. “They just hand out the letter and gone,” Dover said, “this is what people doing for years and for them to stop this it will cause havoc in this town because most of the people doing these business are young and elderly people.” He surmised that a lot of robberies will occur if most people lost their primary source of income. “I think they should leave young people, if we hustling for an honest dollar. Or they could create somewhere that they could put us that’s all we’re asking for,” he said. Dover also hopes for an “agreement of sorts” to keep the place clean; “ all we want to do is to keep hustling”.
Reis had informed shareholders in February that Banks DIH will move to the courts amid the failed efforts by the M&CC to have the vendors removed swiftly. Town Clerk Candace Nelson told the Stabroek News that the court matter with Banks DIH will come up for hearing today before Justice Navindra Singh. She said it was identical to the Muneshwer matter that was ruled on by the courts. “They [the vendors] know that Banks is taking us to court. For them to say they don’t know would be inaccurate,” she said.
She related that the M&CC had been trying to find places to have the vendors relocated which is why extensions were asked for to see how best the council can help. However, that period has come to an end and they were unable to find a location. “There is nothing else that I can do at this time,” the Town Clerk said.
