Vendors can effectively block entrances to Queenstown homes on Mashramani Day

Dear Editor,

I would like to add an important point to Sean Moniz’s observation regarding the ugly painted numbers defacing the roads of the Mashramani route, the work of our Mayor & City Council. (SN Letters, Feb. 7, 2019)

This is a newly minted money-making scheme of the M&CC whereby vending spots are sold along the route. This year, for the first time, the numbers have been slapped on every entrance and bridge to our Queenstown residences which means that the vendors can effectively block the entrances to our homes for the entire day.

This is surely eye-pass and total contempt for the citizens who reside along the route and is it not also illegal? Will the Guyana Police Force allow this lawlessness to be perpetrated by the M&CC?

I have written recently about the vendors setting up boom boxes in front of our homes and the noise going on until all hours of the night. I have had to call the police on more than one occasion to come and shut the noise down.

I have made some enquiries and was made to understand that the M&CC is only interested in collecting the money for the vending spots and that the vendors are given no rules, guidelines or instructions regarding the decibel levels of their music or any time limit.

Basically, they can “do wha dey want” with us and for however long they want. But I suppose the M&CC is simply following the example set by the Government of Guyana whereby the country’s Republic Day will be “celebrated” once more with total vulgarity and lawlessness.

As for Mr Moniz’s question as to whether the new City Council could not raise the bar, I think it can be safely assumed that the bar will continue to go lower and lower each year until the few voices raised in defence of decency and the rule of law will become tired and eventually surrender to the hopelessness that is Guyana.

Yours faithfully,

Ryhaan Shah