Vendors operating in the vicinity of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) have been issued a new order to vacate the area, as the long-standing issue of unauthorized street vending continues to escalate.
During a special meeting of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, Town Clerk Candace Nelson announced that she has received a lawyer’s letter indicating plans to seek a mandamus from the court. A mandamus is a judicial order compelling a government official or public agency to carry out a duty mandated by law.
Nelson explained that vendors will be given three days to vacate the premises before the matter is escalated to the court. This situation marks a decade-long struggle, as the hospital has previously written to various authorities in 2015, 2016, 2019, and again in 2022, highlighting the dangers posed by the obstruction of traffic—particularly affecting ambulances and patients seeking care at the GPHC.
The hospital has expressed concerns that the proliferation of unauthorized street vendors along the New Market and East Street pavements not only obstructs access for emergency services but also hampers efforts to maintain cleanliness in the area. Noise pollution has also been cited as a significant issue.
Nelson informed the council that if vendors fail to vacate the area, they could face legal action. This prompted a discussion among council members, with Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore questioning why the vendors had not been removed previously. The need for enforcement measures to ensure compliance was emphasized.
Further complicating the situation, Nelson mentioned that Muneshwers Limited has threatened to pursue contempt of proceedings against the council. “I just wish to have it stated that I will not be going to jail for anybody,” she remarked, referencing a second letter from Muneshwers regarding the ongoing vendition issues.
In late 2023, Muneshwers sought legal recourse against the vendors occupying its property on Water Street, Georgetown. After approximately 15 years of complaints, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George ruled that either the vendors must vacate or the Mayor and City Council should take action to seize the goods of those who refuse to comply.
The council’s latest meeting underscores the persistent challenges facing the capital as it seeks to balance public order with the livelihoods of street vendors. Legal actions and continued enforcement are on the horizon as the situation develops.
