Dear Editor,
In March 2006 the Bartica Market was broken down and the vendors were located on First Avenue between 6th and 9th Street. At first it was a problem to get the vendors to move to that location so that the new market could be built in collaboration with making Bartica a town.
With all the advantages, disadvantages and hiccups incurred by vendors and citizens while at this location, peace and harmony excelled among all and sundry.
It is now three months since the market was completed even though the initial time for completion was exceeded by six months. The market is locked and has not been handed over to the Bartica Neighbourhood Democratic Council. The vendors, members of the RC church and people living in the area are becoming frustrated. These people who normally use this river for domestic purposes have been appealing to have the use of the river once again because of the unreliable service of GWI.
The church land was only loaned to the NDC for fourteen months.
The situation now is that the keys for the market are in the control of the President of Guyana and the Minister of Local Government.Why is it that the President is contemplating having a special committee to oversee the market when the market comes directly under the NDC.The NDC has a market committee as one of its sub committees and a vendors committee to work along with the NDC.
I would like to assure the President and his minister that such behaviour is not democratic. I would also like him to know that on every visit by officials from CDB, the World Bank and even his former Minister of Local Government the Bartica NDC was always complimented for their efficient and transparent record keeping and smooth running of its affairs.
I would also like him to know that for the two years that the vendors were at the present location the NDC had to continue to pay its staff with limited revenue and they never had to ask the government for any assistance to run their affairs.
So please Mr President and Minister hand over the keys and the market to the Bartica NDC and stop playing political games.
Yours faithfully,
Judith David-Blair
