Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 10, 2015 News
– Council reiterates commitment to demolishing illegal structures
Officials of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, (M&CC) clashed with property owners in the vicinity of Orange Walk. At the time the council was relocating Bourda vendors, yesterday.
Last month, the council embarked on the “Green City initiative” which is aimed at cleaning and restoring Georgetown to its former glory.
Part of the initiative is aimed at reinforcing a new culture against littering and illegal activity, in Georgetown through environmental counseling and other practical work in the communities.
As part of efforts, the council has removed several structures along Regent Street and Bourda Market. However, the latter demolition exercise sparked a public demonstration exercise by vendors outside the Ministry of Presidency, last Monday.
The displaced stallholders said that their dissatisfaction is largely because they believed that they were being insulted and treated unjustly, under a government for which they voted. The protest attracted the attention of officials from the Ministry including Prime Minister, (PM) Moses Nagamootoo, who promised to look into the matter.
The Council had initially promised the displaced Bourda Market vendors alternative spots on Orange Walk. However, members of the M&CC administration met with opposition from property owners in that vicinity, when they visited the location, yesterday. The residents questioned the council’s decision to relocate vendors there.
“Why move these vendors from one street corner to another corner when you can put them on the Merriman Mall where they can vend freely…We don’t want them here,” one man said.
Proprietor of Bharrat’s Jewelry, Sudesh Persaud contended that the decision to relocate the vendors on Orange Walk will have an adverse effect on his business and lower the value of his establishment.
“I already have problems with persons parking in front my business and blocking the entrance. Where are these vendors going to park?” he questioned.
Another property owner, Jude Bentley, condemned the council.
Bentley noted that their efforts lacked consideration for property owners in the vicinity. He too asked “Why the vendors were not relocated to Merriman Mall?”
In response to the concerns raised, Town Clerk Royston King noted that the property owners appear to have taken a selfish disposition on the matter.
“The placement of stallholders at Orange Walk is temporary. These people need to return to their livelihood. We are putting in place systems which will not compromise the city‘s drainage or the profitability of those plying their trade.”
King reiterated that the Council is now concerned with ensuring that all fixtures, which threaten to besmirch and tarnish the image of city are eliminated.
“There are also a number of illegal structures in this area which will have to be removed, King added.
On Monday, several stallholders were literally left to pick up the pieces after workers attached to the Georgetown Mayor and Councillors (M&CC) swept through the Bourda Street area, dismantling stalls along the way.
The exercise was part of efforts to demolish the derelict Bedford Building on Robb Street. The structure which has been identified as a hazard to those traversing the area, in recent years. Officials of City Hall had said the stall which was removed stood directly in the path of the drains. They noted that removal of some fifteen stalls was also pertinent to rehabilitating the drainage systems.
The exercise is in keeping with the council’s mandate to ensure order and decency returns to the Capitol City. During a Press Conference, held at the council’s headquarters on Tuesday, Town Clerk Royston King reiterated the council’s commitment to “to make Georgetown the cleanest, greenest city in the Caribbean.”
“The council has received a mandate from the President, one which it will work to fulfill regardless of the degrees of difficulties it faces.”
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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