Stabroek Market Vendors Voice Concerns Over Displacement Amid Beautification Efforts

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News Source Guyana Reports | Despite recent assurances from the government, several market vendors at Stabroek Square are voicing significant concerns about potential displacement and lack of proper notice amidst ongoing enforcement actions by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council.

Vendors report that unexpected enforcement measures have left them unable to earn a stable income during what is typically the busiest season of the year. Ramona Ramah, who sells eggs at Stabroek Market, recounted her experience of being instructed to dismantle her stall early last Thursday morning. “We received a letter on November 2 indicating the market would undergo cleaning, but there was no mention of a closure,” she stated.

Another vendor, Sunita Sukharan, who has served the market for seventeen years, echoed these sentiments. She described the financial strain caused by the restrictions, noting substantial losses due to spoiling goods and unsafe working conditions. “City Hall’s response has been dismissive. I have a mortgage, a family, and no alternative source of income,” she emphasized.

Further complicating matters, the vendors attended a scheduled meeting with City Hall last Monday, hoping for clarity on the situation. However, they left feeling uninformed, as officials insisted that all goods must be removed from the roadside without offering any storage solutions.

With the holiday season fast approaching, the vendors are urgently calling for intervention to address their concerns and ensure that they can continue to operate during this critical time. The uncertainty surrounding their livelihoods has left many feeling anxious as they prepare for the busy festive period.

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