City officials are awaiting the release of funds to commence repairs to the run-down East Ruimveldt Municipal Market, this newspaper was told yesterday.
Responding to the complaints by stallholders, recently highlighted in this newspaper, Clerk of Markets Schulder Griffith and Deputy Clerk of Markets Errol Brisport said yesterday that they are aware of the issues plaguing the vendors at the market.
Griffith and Brisport told Stabroek News that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) had budgeted for repairs at the market including patching the internal passageways, replacing the damaged gates and roof and fencing the eastern side of the market. However these are just some of the areas that were highlighted by the stallholders. They also complained bitterly about poor lighting, the damaged bridge, water shortage, a lack of security and the insanitary condition of the lavatory facilities.
Though Griffith and Brisport have acknowledged that these are all areas that should be addressed, they said that a system of prioritising would usually have to be implemented when funds are to be allocated since other markets are in need of repairs as well.
Therefore the more urgent and important needs would be addressed first.
Griffith said that as Clerk of the Markets, he can only identify the issues and propose them to the municipality but emphasised that it is the finance department of City Hall that would then release the funds after further discussions.
The 2009 budget for the East Ruimveldt Market Griffith said had expenditure of $12.1 million and income of $4.1 million. Neither he nor Brisport could say when the funds were likely to be released.
On Tuesday last, stallholders at market had complained bitterly about the “sickening” conditions under which they are forced to ply their trade. One vendor said her stall had been vandalised on several occasions and she opined that there was collusion with the guards.
“…When yuh come next morning an trying fuh find out wha really happen, none a dem can’t give yuh a proper explanation and besides, nuff time when deh supposed to be guarding, deh does deh sleeping an all kinda things,” she said. This stallholder also pointed out that since some sections of the compound had no fence it was easy for bandits to gain access.
Pointing to a number of lampposts in the market, stallholders said only two of about 10 work. They said the lights were only there as decoration.
The sellers also complained that they were losing sales because of the dilapidated state of the access road.
Vendors also lamented the frequent water shortages which force them to rely on the kindness of residents for water. Though they would know water supply is scheduled, there are times when the entire day passes and they get no water. They also noted that the lack of water makes it difficult to keep the lavatory hygienic.
