Parika vendors defy notice to move

Stallholders at Parika, East Bank Essequibo are adamant that they will not allow the government or any other authority to demolish their stalls, unless there was adequate provision for them to serve multiple customers at another location.

When Stabroek News visited the area leading up to the Parika Stelling, the vendors were conducting their business as usual but said they were waiting on Minister of Transport Robeson Benn to come with his “hammer”.

The vendors said they were issued with a notice by Chairman of the Mora-Parika Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Jaideo Sookhoo earlier this year and upon receipt of the notice they consulted Attorney at Law Neil Persram, who served Sookhoo with a written statement warning the NDC not to demolish the stalls since the vendors have a right to vend there.

Two of three abandoned buildings in the Parika Police Station compound that are now havens for vagrants and stray animals. It was not clear whether buildings belong to the police of the region. However, roadside vendors nearby have proposed that the buildings be pulled down and the land made available to them to conduct their business. Their proposal was turned down. (Photo by Anjuli Persaud)

Lalita (only name given) said that in December last year former NDC Chairman Krishna Samlall held a meeting with the vendors on the road shoulder before he resigned, informing them that a new chairman will be elected and that they are to cooperate fully with him. She added that since the newly appointed chairman took office he has never been introduced to the vendors and it is absurd that he is now asking them to remove and threatening to demolish their stalls.

“I ready fuh he,” she said. “I want see what he can do because Krishna Samlall give we a paper to sell here and he now come in and want move awe… Is what he think he is? We nah even know if he swear in as chairman he want us to move and have nowhere to put us.”

The vendors said when Samlall was chairman he had a document prepared to have them vend on the roadside providing that they did not block the police station or hinder traffic. They find it nonsensical that Sookhoo is bypassing that document and serving them notices when they have not breached the conditions of that document.

The vendors are irate at the treatment they received from Sookhoo thus far, and added that they are willing to cooperate with him but he needs to approach them in a more professional manner and must be prepared to speak to them about their relocation. They also said that if they do not agree to the relocation site he must have an alternative means of solving the issue. Several efforts made to contact Sookhoo proved futile.

The vendors are calling for a meeting with him and the authorities where they can table their proposals for the site to be developed so they can still attract the same quantum of customers and be off the road shoulder.

Another vendor, ‘Auntie Annie’, said she is 53 years old, can barely move about and has a lot of bills to pay. If she has to relocate to an area where customers hardly pass, it will be hard for her to meet those expenses and it will send her deeper into poverty, she said.

“We are willing to move but nah to go till by the white fence where all the cars drive pass,” she said. We want to stay here because people pass here to go get boats and we get a lil sale.”

Another vendor, Patricia Baird, said she has been vending in the vicinity for a number of years and the authorities are taking bread out of their mouths.

Baird said they are being intimidated because they seek the assistance of the media in pointing out the many indiscretions of the authorities in the area.

On that note the vendors pointed to three unoccupied buildings in the Police Station compound that have been havens for vagrants and animals for a number of years. They said that they have previously proposed to the NDC that the buildings be demolished and the area cleared so they can move off the road shoulder and vend there and at the same time keep their customers. This proposal, they say, was rejected so they are of the view that the authorities want to banish them from the prime business spot and send them into exile in and area where no one shops which might be a bond at the back of the market centre.

When Stabroek News contacted the office of ‘D’ Division Commander Christopher Griffith, for a comment about the buildings, the reply from his office was that he was at a meeting in the city but will be available today.

Fruit vendor Denise Persaud said her business is being hindered as she constantly keeps moving her perishable items in and out of boxes because of the fear that her stall will be demolished at anytime and as a result of this she suffers major financial losses.

Another vendor Tonza Bess said that she is unable to sell because of the notices and the fear that at anytime their only source of income will be demolished.

The vendors told Stabroek News that Minster Benn passed around the area on Sunday inspecting them from inside of his vehicle. However, he did not speak to any of them.
The vendors threatened protest action if their stalls are demolished saying that they are ready to go to any extent to defend their livelihood.

Auntie Annie said, “What they want we do? Me too old to go and pick fare right now.”

Most of the female vendors who are single mothers were lamenting that if the NDC or ministry decides to actually remove them and send them into exile it will be the end of their lives since vending is the only means of supporting their families. They called on the Woman’s Rights Organisations to intervene and assist them.

The vendors all said that providing the conditions are good, and they are able to vend with no problems, they are willing to relocate.