Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Nov 11, 2014 News
The Market and Public Health Committee of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is yet to schedule a meeting to deal with issues affecting vendors occupying sections of the badly dilapidated Stabroek Market Wharf.
The issue, according to Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, is being prolonged because of the vindictive actions of the Town Clerk (Ag) Carol Ryan Sooba, which are aimed at preventing the Council from carrying out its functions.
Last month, Sooba called off a planned meeting between the Council and vendors of the Stabroek Market Wharf.
The Council had planned to meet with the vendors to discuss the next step in their proposal to rehabilitate sections of the deteriorating wharf which many fear may collapse at any given moment.
Earlier this year heavy winds caused extensive damage to the already broken down vending area of the wharf. The incident created chaos among vendors and those who ventured into that section of the market to conduct business.
On June 5, 2013 a section of the wharf collapsed, injuring a market handyman. Charles Ferdinand sustained a huge gash to the head and was hospitalized for over 48 hours.
Following the incident, vendors noted the lack of concern on the part of those responsible for the maintenance for the wharf.
The vendors noted that persons are putting their lives at risk on a daily basis in an effort to ply their trade by using that section of the market.
They noted, too, that since there are no alternatives to the situation, numerous calls were made to the authorities to have the situation rectified. However, the roof of the dock continues to hang dangerously loose, as vendors express fear that at any moment, the entire section could come crashing down.
However, despite Sooba’s efforts to deter the actions of the Council, Chase-Green reaffirmed that the committee is committed to addressing the needs of the vendors.
She said that the officials will meet with the vendors to address the issue as soon as possible.
“This matter is urgent. We can’t keep putting off the meeting. We will have to discuss with the vendors the way forward on the issue even if we have to meet with them in the streets,” the Deputy Mayor said.
Meanwhile, the council continues to express its disapproval at the Town Clerk‘s expenditure of larger sums of monies.
Last week, the Deputy Mayor disclosed that within the past months over $3.5 million belonging to the Council, was utilized by Town Clerk (Ag) as payment in legal fees and other personalized expenses.
After spending $500,000 and losing a court case, the Deputy Mayor said that Sooba requested an additional $1M from the Council’s treasury to pay for legal fees to challenge a ruling by the Chief Justice, Ian Chang in which she was ordered to re-issue fuel for the Mayor’s vehicle.
The Town Clerk had indicated to the council that she is appealing the matter and asked for a stay of execution. However, the Council voted unanimously, to accept the Chief Justice’s ruling and that there should be no further action on that matter; they will not authorize her payment for legal services since it has no relevance to the development of the city.
“The Council has therefore advised Miss Sooba, that if anything, she should withdraw her thoughts on going to the Court because the Council will not be responsible for any money spent on any legal fees again,” the Deputy Mayor said.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
Mar 28, 2024
Minister Ramson challenge athletes to better last year’s performance By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – Guyana’s 23-member contingent for the CARIFTA Games in Grenada is set to depart the...B.V. Police Station Kaieteur News – The Beterverwagting Police Station, East Coast Demerara (ECD) will be reconstructed... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – In the face of escalating global environmental challenges, water scarcity and... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]