Heavy winds early yesterday morning caused further damage to the already dilapidated Stabroek Market wharf vending area leaving it in imminent danger of collapse.
Stabroek News visited the area and spoke with some of the vendors and shoppers. A food vendor who operates directly under a section of the roof where zinc sheets have shifted and are now hanging, refused to comment on the condition of the area or its effect on her business. However, she did say that the collapse began about 4.15 am. Andrew Smith, who sells beverages nearby, also said that he did not think the dangers posed currently would affect his business in any way.
Charles (only name given), who sells fresh water coconut was also not perturbed by the effect the hanging roof could have on his business. Though he did say he was concerned about the current state of the structure since it poses a sudden threat to the lives of those traversing there on a daily basis.
Some of the shoppers were lamenting the state of the market. Numerous calls to Royston King, Public Relations Officer of City Hall and Town Clerk (ag) Carol Sooba proved futile.
Earlier this year, sources at City Hall had indicated that the Stabroek wharf area was likely to see some remedial works. Vendors there had been complaining about the conditions for years. “Imagine is years I deh here and this place just getting from bad to worse. The roof falling apart, the floor falling apart. We just fed up. We always hearing that this place gon’ fix up but we ain’ seeing nothing. Them at City Hall need to stop all the stupid fighting and fix up this place,” one vendor had told this newspaper in May.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development had indicated that under its $1 billion ‘Clean up my country’ project, sums had been allocated for the municipal markets. It was not stated whether any attention would be given to the Stabroek Market wharf from these funds.
