Stabroek Market vendors criticise govt over removal from construction site, Manickchand says Mentore was provided details

Last Updated on Thursday, 27 November 2025, 20:17 by Writer

A small number of vocal vendors on Thursday heaped criticisms on the government’s failure to properly inform them that they would have to move temporarily from the Stabroek Market car park to allow for the construction of a concrete stage by the Ministry of Local Government as part of efforts to beautify the city of Georgetown.

The vendors were early Thursday morning greeted by workers who constructed a temporary plywood wall around a section of the car park to begin erecting a stage. Several members of the Guyana Police Force turned out with shotguns and handguns in anticipation of any rise in the tension.

“I insist I am not moving from here. We were not informed by any government minister, the constable. Nobody told us anything that we have to move from here,” said one of the vendors. She said she invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in buying Christmas themed items for sale.

The woman said when local government minister Priya Manickchand met with vendors in the area two weeks ago, she informed them of plans to beautify the area but did not say that the vendors would have to vacate the area.

Another vendor also lamented the failure of the government to directly communicate its intention and plans to them and make alternative arrangements. “Tell people firm. Tell people; “vendors we will put you all somewhere because we got lil works going on here”, he said.

“These people coming in town and walking and shaking people hands and going on like this without even lil notice,” another vendor added.

When contacted, the minister acknowledged the importance of communication. She said the contractor should have spoken to the vendors and put up posters first before erecting the plywood wall. “Lessons learned,” she said. The minister reiterated that there were no plans at this time to remove vendors from the Stabroek Market car park. She said the Mayor is among councillors who want the vendors moved, but she was not interested in doing that to particularly single mothers.

In a statement, the local government ministry said every effort was being made to cushion the impact of the work on the vendors. “We are further advised that two vendors could be displaced temporarily by this construction and instructions have been given that will minimize that effect,” the ministry said.

Actually, there are at least six vendors who would be affected by the works. They include the vendor with Christmas items, a coconut water vendor, a beverage vendor and several phone card vendors. The Lodge and Guyhoc minibus parks were also taken in by the plywood wall.

The ministry said the area must be cordoned off while workers are on duty to ensure a safe environment during construction of the facility over the next two weeks. “We understand and acknowledge that the erection of the plyboard around the area may have caused some alarm, but we are advised that this is necessary for the safety of those in the vicinity and is common practice when civil works of this nature is ongoing,” the ministry said.

City Mayor Alfred Mentore said he was backing the vendors in securing their livelihoods. He claimed that himself and other councillors were informed about the erection of a Christmas tree. He denied that anything was told to them about the construction of a stage or platform. “No nothing like that,” he told reporters when pressed on whether the government had informed the city administration about plans.

But the local government ministry said Mr Mentore and other councillors were informed fully about plans for the area. At that meeting, according to the ministry, the City Council said “lovely, lovely. This is what is needed.” “At a meeting in a packed Boardroom at the Ministry of Housing, where the Mayor of Georgetown, Mr Alfred Mentore and several city councillors were present, a video presentation was made of what the Stabroek Square (that is currently being constructed) would look like and what that would entail and involve,” the ministry said.

Mayor Mentore warned that the works could be suspended because City Hall is legally responsible for its properties, including the Stabroek park, in Georgetown.

Shadow local government minister Ganesh Mahipaul called on government to halt the works that disrupt livelihoods and instead adopt a “people first” approach grounded in full and transparent consultation with all stakeholders, especially the affected vendors, clear communication of project timelines, implementation phases, and relocation or support plans, and a consensus-building process that ensures buy-in and cooperation from the very people the project will impact. “These citizens do not have access to the resources of the State to feed, clothe, and shelter their families. They depend on their daily earnings to survive. This project, as currently being executed, directly threatens their income and stability, particularly at a time when many look forward to increased sales to meet holiday and year-end expenses,” he said.

Mr Mahipaul said while the concept was shared with the Mayor and City Council, critical details regarding implementation, scheduling, and scope were never communicated. He said more importantly, no meaningful consultation was conducted with the many ordinary Guyanese who earn their livelihood in this space—vendors, single mothers, fathers, youths, and small entrepreneurs—who rely daily on this area to make an honest living. “APNU is not opposed to beautifying our capital city or any part of Guyana. We support national development and initiatives that improve public spaces. However, development must not come at the cost of people’s livelihoods especially during a period when economic hardship is already being felt across the country. Good governance means engaging people, not displacing them; uplifting families, not disrupting their ability to provide for themselves,” he said.

But the local government ministry appealed to those outside of the process not to be “opportunistic and stoke divisions for narrow political gain.”

The ministry said that at the end of that process there will be a place where vendors, shoppers and commuters alike will benefit where families and children, tourists and artistes, can enjoy their shopping experience and where more sales are likely to happen in an improved Stabroek Square.