0DUNHW YHQGRUV ³:H ZHUH QRW DVNHG WR FRQWULEXWH´

Several angry market ven dors from the South Market Noodmarkt on Monday visited Times of Suriname to complain about a statement that was made by the mar ket superintendent during an interview with Times of Suriname. The market ven dors claim that they were ne ver asked to make a contri bution for the repairs to the drainage system. One of the vendors pointed out that the market superintendent could have asked them to help out by supporting the mainte nance proMects. ³%ut nobody told us anything.”

'awhoud Kariem, chairman of the association that re presents the market vendors from the South Market, ex plained that it would be dif ficult for the market vendors to come up with the money. ³, do not expect them to make a contribution to main tenance because it simply costs too much.”

Kariem pointed out that the concrete drainage tubes must be replaced but that there is a lack of funds. ³,f it were up to me, the mar ket would be demolished so that a new market could be constructed,” said Kariem who added that several years ago the pumping engine at Nieuwe Haven was fixed which is why the water does not stay. ³,f it starts to rain, the market gets flooded but the water recedes after se veral hours.” Kariem poin ted out that business is not blooming for the market vendors. ³Sometimes they are at the market for ten hours straight because there are no customers. There are even vendors who return home with only S5' .” The market vendors also complained about the fact that the rent will be raised. They explained that it will become more difficult for them to stay afloat if they have to pay more rent for their stall because business is slow.