Parika vendors were yesterday told that they have until December 31, 2011 to occupy stalls in the Parika Market, to facilitate modifications to the Parika stelling to accommodate the roll-on–roll-off ferry service.
This was announced when they met with Minister of Local Government Norman Whittaker, Region 3 Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Chairman, Julius Faerber, and the Parika Neigbhourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Chairman Krishna Samlall to address the fallout of the demolition of stalls by the Ministry of Public Works to facilitate the modifications.
The Government Information Agency (GINA) last evening reported that Whittaker told the vendors that government has a responsibility to deliver services to the people and in the process of so doing the modifications were needed. This situation is not only relative to Parika but similar issues occur throughout the country, he said.
Whittaker stressed that road side vending is not approved and will be a thing of the past come 2012, GINA said, adding that for this reason, government has been building at tremendous cost markets and tarmacs. Whittaker also noted that the benefits of being located in a market provide security for goods and protection from the elements and buyers will know that they can find a variety of goods and services in the market. Some vendors have been reluctant to take up places in the market, arguing that they would lose sales.
Meanwhile, GINA added that Faerber indicated that during the up-coming Christmas season the vendors will be allowed to ply their trade along the road shoulders, however, they must keep their surroundings clean and conduct their business in an orderly manner so that the flow of traffic is not disrupted.
