–calls for organised vending solutions
IN response to recent protests by city vendors removed from the area in front of Popeyes on Water Street, PPP/C councilor, Steven Jacobs, has firmly reiterated his party’s stance against the displacement of vendors.
Speaking exclusively with the Guyana Chronicle, Jacobs emphasised that while they support organised vending, the PPP/C councillors do not agree with any form of vendor removal.
Jacobs highlighted that the government’s goal is to support vendors in earning a livelihood. “Our position as PPP/C councillors is that we understand the situation of vendors; we are compassionate towards them and their need to provide for their families. We support organised vending where everyone can benefit, but we do not support displacement,” he stated.
Jacobs addressed misconceptions circulating in public, clarifying that the removal of vendors was not orchestrated by the PPP/C government. He reaffirmed that their position on the matter has remained consistent, and they are actively seeking ways to accommodate vendors in a cleaner and more organised environment.
The councillor also shed light on the internal workings of the Mayor and City Council, particularly the role of the Deputy Mayor, who oversees the Markets Committee and has made recommendations regarding the removal of vendors. Jacobs distanced the PPP/C from these decisions, asserting, “We have continued to state our position; we do not support this.”
Jacobs also revealed that several businesses have taken legal action against the city council, which is now facing potential court charges if they fail to act. He recommended that before evicting vendors, the council must designate sanitary and secure areas for them to operate.
He pointed to the successful establishment of the vendor’s arcade in 2007 under the PPP/C government, which provided a safe and secure space for vendors. Jacobs further advocated for legal reforms to offer vendors better protection, including the need for identification systems that would assign responsibilities to vendors and formalise their operations.
In efforts to find interim solutions, Jacobs disclosed that the PPP/C is engaging with business owners near vending locations to explore possible compromises on vending hours and maintaining a clean environment. He also expressed concern about the lack of accountability within the Mayor and City Council, contrasting this with the government’s consistent interventions aimed at improving the city.
Jacobs referenced the recent partnership formed between President Ali and the King Charles Foundation on urban development, expressing confidence that vendors would be included in future plans. He also noted that the PPP/C government has been proactive in maintaining infrastructure such as roads and drainage through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), ensuring better access for citizens during the rainy season.
Finally, Jacobs pointed to the government’s ongoing efforts to provide employment and training opportunities for public servants, including staff within the city council, through initiatives like the GOAL scholarship programme. He underscored that the government’s commitment extends to all Guyanese, including vendors, and criticised claims that the PPP/C seeks to displace vendors as disingenuous.
“Anyone who says that the PPP/C government wants to displace the vendors or isn’t supportive of Guyanese bettering their lives is being disingenuous,” Jacobs concluded.
