Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jan 09, 2011 News
In the wake of Wednesday’s explosion that killed one and injured 19 at the Stabroek Market; all persons who vended on the perimeter of the Stabroek Market bus park were removed. The Ministry of Public Works, yesterday, conducted a massive demolition campaign.
In addition, the police force has tightened up on security in the area. Almost four times the previous amount of ranks and a police outpost have now been placed where previously the South/Lodge bus park existed.
It was chaotic yesterday at the Stabroek Market as vendors watched the places from where they made their daily earnings being torn apart. Even shack-like stalls were destroyed.
According to vendors, they were told that if they did not break down their stalls these would be broken down for them.
Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, told vendors that he no longer wants any vending to take place on the road or pavement. Those vendors obstruct traffic, or congest the pavement forcing pedestrians to walk on the road.
Benn walked all around the Stabroek Market meeting with vendors who pleaded with him not to demolish the place that facilitates their only source of income. Some even said that there is not much alternative for them since they have children to provide for and vending is what they know to do.
Benn said that all the barber shops will be removed from the vicinity also. However, the food vendors situated at the back of the fire station will not be removed but will have to adjust their stalls to just provide a take away service.
According to Benn, alcohol selling will be strictly prohibited.
He further stated that those persons who occupied the “green top” stalls will be allowed to commence vending from Monday. However alternate arrangements will have to be made for the others.
Some vendors who inquired about selling their bread were asked, “Why don’t you go home and sell your bread”?
Many vendors were angry. One vendor said that she grew up assisting her mother on the market and later took over the business to earn “a daily bread… This is all I know to do”.
Indroutie Doobay, who owned a barber shop in the vicinity, stood angrily by with tears in her eyes, as she watched her concrete structure being broken down by men and bulldozers.
The woman said that for over 30 years she “run” the business, and pays rates and taxes every year. “Why all dem years dem didn’t move me? Dem wait till now I develop me place”.
The woman said that it is speculated that the business uses illegal electricity which is inaccurate. “I got a meter and I does pay GPL”.
A meeting to decide what will be the alternative arrangement for the affected vendors is scheduled for today at 10:00am at the Ministry of Public Works Located in Kingston.
Last Wednesday’s explosion at the Stabroek Market left one person dead and 19 injured, including a four-year-old boy, after a fragmentation grenade exploded in the shopping arcade that accommodated itinerant vendors, especially at nights.
The dead man who goes by the alias of “American’ or ‘Deportee” died on the spot. His hand was blown off below the elbow and his face was disfigured.
This sparked a demolition campaign causing almost 300 vendors to become displaced.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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