News Source Guyana Reports | Mayor Alfred Mentore has described the development of the Stabroek Market Square as a “noble” project, yet acknowledged that poor communication and inadequate consultation with vendors by both the Ministry of Local Government and the Georgetown City Council led to significant initial pushback.
Last week, the Mayor expressed surprise over the erection of construction walls in the market square, stating that many vendors were unaware of the project and voiced their frustrations. During an appearance on the New Day Morning Show on GoMoseley Radio today, Mentore confirmed that, while the Minister of Local Government, Priya Manickchand, indicated that the City Council was consulted during a meeting at the Central Housing and Planning Authority, the lack of thorough communication caused confusion among both the Council and the vendors.
“Ideally, there was an opportunity missed to properly engage with all stakeholders, which would have allowed for a smoother transition regarding how the development should occur, without negatively impacting citizens or vendors,” remarked Mayor Mentore.
He noted that although he attended the consultation, it was brief with insufficient details regarding the project. The Mayor admitted that the Council should have asked about the implementation timeline and arrangements for the vendors.
“Had we probed deeper, we might have avoided the hiccups with vendors who were left wondering,” he added.
Reflecting on the issues experienced last week, Mayor Mentore stressed that both the Central Government and the Mayor and City Council must enhance their communication strategies concerning development projects and their potential impacts, both positive and negative.
Despite the earlier challenges, he indicated that communication with Minister Manickchand has improved, which he believes is promising for the city’s future.
“In terms of overall development, we’ve integrated plans for the Stabroek Market, the Bizarre, and the Vendors’ Arcade Mall, ensuring vendors can operate in designated areas,” he explained. The Mayor emphasized that with the influx of oil funds, it is essential for the city to evolve beyond informal vending practices.
City Hall has reportedly conducted feasibility studies on the redevelopment of the Stabroek Market and its surrounding areas, which would necessitate changes to the layouts for better access. However, he cautioned that such development comes with costs.
Minister Priya Manickchand has assured vendors at the Stabroek Market that they will not be displaced for the time being, addressing some concerns within the community.
As the project progresses, both the Mayor and the Minister are committed to fostering a collaborative environment that prioritizes the interests of vendors and citizens alike.
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