Kai Yun Trading on Robb Street yesterday began breaking sections of the paved parapet which was blocking City Council workers from accessing the drain to clean it.
On Friday about 10.30 pm Stabroek News met a group of the council’s workers on Robb Street, some of whom were covered in dark silt, clearing the clogged drain.
However, as the workers approached Kai Yun Trading located at 68 Robb Street, they were forced to discontinue cleaning as they were blocked by solid concrete which extended down into the drain. The workers complained that there are many similar constructions around the city which prevent them from desilting the drains.
The two men who were busy breaking the concrete yesterday, told Stabroek News that they were doing so, on behalf of the store, to allow council workers to access the drains.
According to Acting Public Relations Officer of City Hall Deborah Lewis, the move by the store owner may be the result of a public statement which was issued to businesses around the city asking them to remove blockages to allow council workers to do their job.
Lewis said that last Sunday the workers faced tremendous challenges during the voluntary cleaning exercise.
She confirmed that cleaning was organized to be conducted at night, but some workers also continued to clean during the day.
Since some areas are extremely busy with traffic and commuters during the day, one of the council workers said, they opted to work at night to avoid the disruption of the daily business.
