No relief yet for waterlogged Merriman Mall vendors

Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan and a team from City Hall on Thursday afternoon visited vendors along the Merriman Mall, between Orange Walk and Cummings Streets, who are affected by flooding in front of their stalls.

Stabroek News learnt that after discussions with the visiting team, the vendors were promised that the problem would be rectified subsequent to a visit from the City Engineers Department.

However, Melissa Roberts, the vendor who is most affected, said yesterday that no one from the City Engineers Department had visited.

Stabroek News was told that the engineer was expected to assess the area and make recommendations for work to be done. A few vendors had to vacate to alternative spots to escape the water.

Roberts had to place a makeshift bridge to her stall to prevent customers from walking in the water, they but still opted to stay away altogether.

Roberts said she was offered another spot, but she said that she would have to wait until next week.

Recent rainfall compounded by inadequate drainage saw water remaining lodged in front of the new, but controversial stalls for which the vendors have been paying a significant increase in rental.

Apart from the stall being uncomfortably small, vendors are still to access the improvements promised, including electricity and security.

Meanwhile, Duncan told Stabroek News that the Market and Public Health Committee met and discussed the matter. He said they would be putting forward recommendations to the council at the next statutory meeting.

He added that the committee would also make recommendations for mobile lavatories and to have electricity installed for the vendors.