Region Two Vice Chairman Humace Oodit has disclosed that the start of a planned Anna Regina road project has been delayed by two weeks due to the continuation of roadside vending in the town.
Oodit made the disclosure while speaking at the statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on Wednesday.
While addressing fellow RDC councillors, Oodit said that vendors are reluctant to move and are not cooperating with the Anna Regina Town Council (ARTC) despite several notices issued for them to relocate. He also told councillors that the regional administration has expended over $1 million to upgrade a tarmac at Bushlot to accommodate the vendors.
Oodit said that vendors have to understand that if they are present while the project is executed, it would pose a threat to their lives, especially with heavy-duty types of machinery that will be around.
Meanwhile, when Stabroek News visited the Anna Regina market on Friday, vendors were busy putting out their items for sale. Speaking on behalf of other vendors, a clothes vendor, Steve Reid, said the vendors met on Sunday and moved their stalls back at least 4 feet, giving the contractor enough space to commence the road project without them having to relocate.
Reid said vendors do not want to sell at the tarmac that was earmarked for them because the tarmac is next to a burial ground and they are concerned funeral services could disrupt their operations. He also contended that the location does not attract business.
He continued to argue that vendors’ livelihoods are at stake if they are moved, while noting that there are persons who have been vending in one location for over 30 years and have never faced such a threat under any government.
Vendors are also claiming that they are paying the ARTC a regular vending fee and they also have the right to speak out.
Meanwhile, Mayor of Anna Regina Town Council Rajendra Prabhulall and other members of the council have tried on several occasions to engage the vendors on relocating but have faced numerous protests as a result.
