No response from authorities over llegally sited stall in Stabroek Market

Dear Editor,

Since taking office, the Granger administration has repeatedly been shooting itself in the foot. Despite public pronouncements by the administration of their commitment to a ‘better life’ for all Guyanese, the APNU+AFC government is severely handicapped by their inability to effectively govern. With the exception of Carl Greenidge and Moses Nagamootoo, no other Minister has any previous experience in running a ministry, and only a few others have demonstrated the leadership skills to succeed. Mistakes and blunders have been the hallmark of the administration that for the most part, continues to rule by trial and error. As local government elections draw near, I guarantee the APNU+AFC will pay a heavy price for their folly.

Over two months ago, my brother requested my assistance in an effort to resolve a problem he had previously discussed with Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan. This request surprised me, for our views are often on the opposite side of the political spectrum, and the party he supports and campaigned for, is now in government. My brother Frank had faithfully served the PNC way back in the days of Forbes Burnham, and continues to serve and make significant financial contributions to the APNU+AFC coalition, although Mr David Granger once admitted to me that he has no idea who Frank Gill is. I bet he still doesn’t. But this had nothing to do with politics; Frank merely wanted to put an end to the lawlessness that seems to have taken over since the APNU+AFC took office.

His eldest son, my nephew, died suddenly four years ago, and the clothing stall he owned in the Stabroek Market for over 22 years called Future Gill (Stall number 31, Section 3) had been transferred to his two young daughters (aged now 20 and 13) to provide them with a means of livelihood. The cost to have this business transferred from my deceased nephew to his children, was $294,147.00. The children’s mother and the elder child are the ones managing the business. They pay a monthly rental of $29,000 to the market, and employ a staff of 5.

A few years ago, a makeshift stall was placed directly in front of the Future Gill stall, but was later removed on the instructions of the then Local Government Minister, Norman Whittaker, who declared this encroachment a violation. Then suddenly, about a week after the Granger administration took office, a vendor with a much bigger glass case, took up permanent residence directly in front of the Future Gill stall, blocking more than half of the store front. The space between Future Gill store front and the new encroachment is a mere 30 inches, making it difficult for customers to view the items in the showcase and access the store without being verbally abused by the obstructing vendor.

An irate Frank Gill went to see Minister Ronald Bulkan, who told my brother the encroachment was not right, and promised to look into the problem. The Minister sent the same advisor who previously advised former Minister Whittaker to have the first encroachment removed. But this time, the vendor was allowed to remain there. This is certainly not the “fresh approach” touted by the administration. The Future Gill market store is a long established, legitimate business that provides employment and pays $29,000 a month rent to the Stabroek Market for the right to sell clothing and other items. It is grossly unfair to allow a vendor to illegally put up a contraption selling the same merchandise, impeding access to Future Gill, so close that it appears to be an extension of the store front. In addition, the location is often used as a barber shop and the trading of gold.

But there is an additional reason why this vendor must be removed: The vendor’s stall also partly blocks one of the main entrances to the market, thus compromising an emergency exit in the event of a fire.

So at my brother’s request, I again brought this to the attention of Minister Bulkan during the budget debate, and requested that he investigate the matter. I made it very clear to him that, as a Member of Parliament and uncle to my brother’s grandchildren who now owns the Future Gill store, I was not asking any special favours but merely seeking justice to correct a wrong. He promised to send someone else to review the matter, he never did. One week later, I reminded him and he again promised to look into the problem. Again, he failed to do so.

I am aware that the Minister was obviously stressed out and tired from the drilling he took from my colleagues in Parliament during the amendments to the Local Government Election Bills, but in the weeks that followed, several phone calls to his office and messages left with his secretary to return my call proved futile. He was always never in office, and never had the courtesy to return a call to a fellow Member of Parliament. I could not help but wonder just how difficult it must be for an ordinary citizen to gain access to the Minister of Communities.

Unable to get through to Minister Bulkan, I then discussed my concerns with one of his advisors, Mr Mark Da Costa, who also promised to visit the market location as he was familiar with the area. Again, I stressed that I was merely seeking justice, not asking favours. To date, he too, has failed to visit the location he passes twice daily on his way to and from work, as he promised to do. However, he did advise that he had reviewed the report made earlier by Minister Bulkan’s advisor and that the report was now with Mr Royston King at City Hall, who will determine the course of action, if any.

Editor, I left several messages with Mr King’s secretary over several days, and I’m still waiting on a return phone call from the Town Clerk. It wasn’t long ago that President Granger reminded public officials that they are the servants of the people. I guess neither Minister Bulkan nor Mr Royston King heard the President’s comment. How difficult is it to return a phone call?

During the last local government election, my brother, Frank Gill, won 7 seats in the Best/Klien Pouderoyen NDC as an independent candidate. He is extremely popular and influential in Region 3, and has the ability to make life very difficult for Minister Bulkan and the APNU+AFC to gain traction there in the upcoming LGE. I intend to encourage him to do just that.

Yours faithfully,

Harry Gill, MP