By Joseph Allen
The Ministry of Public Works yesterday began dismantling stalls along the Providence, East Bank Demerara Highway, among other areas, leaving vendors questioning their future.
Yesterday morning vendors were seen removing their goods. Some were helped by Public Works Ministry staff. All of this took place under the watchful gaze of the Guyana Police Force.
It was reported that the vendors were given several notices to move and on Thursday, the final notice was issued, which prompted the ministry’s move yesterday.
In the last notice seen by Stabroek News it was stated that the Ministry of Public Works had observed that several persons had occupied/encroached on the road reserve making it unsafe for all road users
Businesses and items that were listed as being in violation included, barber shops, a rum shop and bar, builders waste, a roadside shop, a car park, a sawmill, cargo containers, scrap iron dealers, clay stock piles, Sand/stone heaps, cement mixing, a No Stopping sign, a sign board, and paddy drying, the Ministry informed.
“The Ministry of Public Works is therefore advising that all encroachment placed on the road reserve be removed with Imme-diate Effect. Failure to comply will result in the Ministry of utilizing all appropriate measures to have those encumbrance removed from May 12th, 2023 and charges administrated, in accordance with chapter 51.01 of the road act of the laws of Guyana,” part of the notice said.
This notice was said to have been issued on May 11 and on May 12. Upon arrival at their usual places of business, vendors were greeted with trucks, ministry workers, police, and other officials ready to remove their stalls.
When Stabroek News visited the scene of the dismantling, vendors acknowledged the need to move but said that they were not given any alternative space to make their daily earnings and the time given to remove was too short since they had spent years there.
Rajmattie Oreen, who sells food items, in tears explained that she has been vending for the past 16 years and all she wants is a place to put her stall since she has no one to depend on to earn her daily bread.
“Actually all I want is a place to put my stand. I’m not making any problem, I will go.”
She explained that she was in shock since she has been vending for the past 16 years and no meeting was conducted before the removal.
Another vendor, Ranicia Daniels, also explained that the vendors were trying for years to be regularised only to now be met with the current situation.
“Many of the times we engaged with the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to do our trading but anytime we go in, they keep telling us the Chairman is busy, the Chairman is not around. They give us a letter to go into Housing. They show us a land and told us to ask if the land is available. When we go to Housing, Housing said we cannot do that they have to do that. Now, every time they coming and say we have to move but officially they give us a letter saying that we have to move immediately. Nobody saying anything this morning I come and see a vanload of police and they proceeded to remove the stands.” Daniels said.
Like in the first case, Daniels is also calling on the authorities to provide a location for them to earn.
On the other hand, vendor, Natram Singh explained said that there have been a lot of rumours that the big business owners around are instigating their removal since there were no issues with traffic.
“We are working here and we are hearing a lot of rumours that people forcing us to move out from there because of the highness or the richness. They are instigating things but I don’t see that the car hampering traffic and these kinds of things. Look where we are, people just come here and we sell them and them gone”, Singh argued.
At the moment, Singh said that he has a lot of goods that will spoil and does not know where to put them.
Contrary to what has been said, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, said that when the notices were served the vendors were fully aware of what was going to happen.
“The Government of Guyana never stop economic empowerment of people. We had meetings with them, they fully were aware that the area needs to be fixed,” Edghill noted.
Additionally, the minister said that a tarmac area will be created and tent vending will be allowed. He insisted that the vendors were all aware and not one issue was raised in previous encounters.
When commenting on the removal, Edghill noted that there was no confrontation.
“As far as I know notices were served, the people complied and removed. Those who required assistance were given so by the Ministry.”
He also stated the exercise was not unique and has been occurring throughout the country.
