Vendors from the Plaisance/Industry Neighbourhood Democratic Council have been given full support to continue their trade on a newly constructed tarmac, despite the presence of a nearby supermarket.
These vendors had previously been relocated for several months from their roadside location in Plaisance to accommodate the four-lane East Coast road expansion project.
On Tuesday evening, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, clarified that the tarmac is designated solely for vending purposes, in response to concerns raised about the supermarket situated nearby.
“I notice there is a supermarket that has been built at the back of the tarmac. The tarmac is not for supermarket customer parking, and it is not an access route to the supermarket because when we took that land… there was no plan to build a supermarket and we knew nothing about it,” Edghill said.
He added, “I am not going to disadvantage small vendors to accommodate a large, powerful person who can open a supermarket,” which received loud applause from those present at the meeting.
Meanwhile, the Plaisance Market vendors were allocated 50 spots on the new tarmac, which was built to accommodate 69 vendors.
The remaining 19 spots will be allocated by the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to accommodate additional vendors.
Minister Edghill assured vendors that solar lights would be installed on the tarmac by the upcoming weekend to support late-night trading.
“That tarmac has been completed for a few months now, and we are at the stage where we would like you to draw your number and be shown to your designated spot,” he stated.
He also reiterated that development projects, whether involving bridges or roads, should not hinder economic opportunities for small business owners.
“If people need to be displaced or relocated, it must be done in a way that ensures their livelihoods and lives are not disrupted,” Edghill stated.
The post Plaisance tarmac reserved for vendors, not supermarket parking – Edghill appeared first on News Room Guyana.
