Corporate Area markets in need of upgrade
There were more vendors than buyers when this newspaper visited the Papine Market in St Andrew on Friday. Many vendors appeared weary, perhaps partly due to the unattractive condition of the venue. The market could greatly benefit from a facelift; visible holes in the roof and the lingering unpleasant scent from scattered garbage contribute to its unwelcoming appearance.
One vendor expressed the need for a thorough cleaning, remarking, “You can see and smell it for yourself, but because a di poor sell here suh and we nuh brown skin, dem barely pay we mind. In here want a proper wash down. In here nuh look good,” she said.
While the bathrooms were relatively clean, they were in dire need of refurbishing. Missing toilet bowl covers and other fixtures requiring repair were evident. The market underwent repairs in 2018 following a major fire at the facility the previous year.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the Cross Roads Market was quite different from in Papine. Vendors were friendly, and the selling spaces were clean. Miss Marsden, a long-time vendor, acknowledged the less-than-ideal conditions but expressed a willingness to adapt.
“It’s not excellent but we are working with it. I would love to see the yard of the market pave off and the tanks that are leaking replaced or repaired, because sometimes it make the water finish quick. But other than that mi nah too complain, because no extortion nuh deh here, and up to the security deal with we good,” she said.
A huge pothole greets persons at the entrance, and a section of the perimeter fence is broken beyond repair. Yet, an elder vendor of four decades told THE STAR that the authorities make an effort to maintain the facility.
“The market is cleaned frequently, and the rubbish truck comes three times a week,” she added.
Another vendor agreed, acknowledging their conditions weren’t the worst and emphasising the comfort buyers felt at their market.
The issue of the state of the country’s markets has been brought into focus by the upcoming local government elections, due on February 26. Municipal corporations have a duty to develop rules and regulations to ensure effective governance within the parishes under their jurisdiction. These local government bodies have responsibility for managing and maintaining infrastructure for public facilities, such markets, abattoirs, pounds, cemeteries, transportation centres, public sanitary conveniences and public beaches.