Local gov’t ministry denies role in ejection of vendors

requesting their immediate removal. While efforts were made by a few to comply with the notice, others remained at the locations. Nelson said that a final notice was issued on April 24, 2024, by the City Engineer for the immediate removal of all encumbrances from the two locations. At no time were the vendors given until April 30, 2024, to vacate the area nor did the Court Order give a date of April 30, 2024, for the vendors’ removal as claimed by the Mayor, Nelson asserted.

On Friday, April 26, 2024, she said that the Mayor, via the Council’s WhatsApp group, queried about a cleaning exercise in the Stabroek Market Bazaar.

“I responded that assistance would be provided by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development to clean the internal drains within the Stabroek Market. A section of this conversation was posted by the Mayor on his Facebook page. At no time was there any discussion about the Ministry cleaning the Bazaar to restore the vendors. Therefore, I find all of the Mayor’s utterances about the vendors operating in the Bazaar and the removal of the vendors from the two locations mentioned above quite misleading and malicious.

“It must be noted that the Administration of the Council was merely executing the orders of the High Court and was never involved in the process of blind-siding anyone. Further, it is important to note that whilst the Administration awaits a plan from the Full Council to address the issue of street vending, any order of the Court takes precedence”, Nelson added.