Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, convened an urgent meeting with vendors operating along the Kingston Seawall corridor to address a growing list of severe permit violations.
Joined by the Head of the Sea and River Defence Board, Kevin Samad, and Ministry technical staff, the Minister issued a firm ultimatum to operators regarding rampant non-compliance with the established conditions of their provisional approvals.
The onsite meeting focused on several major infractions currently plaguing the corridor, including unauthorized subletting, vendors illegally taking up residence inside their stalls, unauthorized electrical connections, severe noise nuisances, illegal structural extensions, and a complete disregard for sanitation and maintenance.
Addressing the vendors directly, Minister Edghill expressed his disappointment over the deterioration of standards since their last engagement.
“You all would have written and applied for these spots. You would have gotten provisional approval based upon certain conditions, which is lawful,” Minister Edghill stated. “I’ve had the need to meet with you before to enforce certain standards stipulated in your permits, but now you are backsliding, and hence I am here.”
The Minister issued a strong reminder that “no vending” and “no noise” zones is still in place and are still strictly enforced, highlighting major security and public order issues tied to permit violations. He reiterated that absolutely no vending is permitted from the Kitty Roundabout heading east to Sheriff Street, nor heading west to the 1823 monument.
“I see people are coming out in these same spaces. I have spoken to them yet, no redress. So, I am urging you again to comply with the rules because we will have to come and move everybody,” the Minister warned. “There won’t be a move back in like the last time; it would be picking you up and moving completely. Everybody knows their boundaries, so please pull back in where you have to and comply with the rules.”
A critical issue addressed was the transition of mobile vending carts into permanent, unauthorized living quarters. Minister Edghill instructed the Sea and River Defence Board to take immediate action against offenders.
“I am giving Mr. Samad and his team clear instructions: any vendor observed to be living out here must be immediately removed. This is becoming a major issue for us,” Edghill declared. “A watchman is not living. We know when people are living. You have a bed, stove, bathroom, toilet, and you are telling me it is a watchman. Let me remind you, you are out here to sell.”
He reminded vendors that their original agreements required them to operate mobile units. “Your paper says you are supposed to move at the end of vending. You are supposed to be on wheels, and when you are finished vending, you are supposed to tow your stuff and go back in. We understood the expenses you raised, but let us be frank: wheels started to disappear. Not only wheels, but concrete foundations are being cast, and you’ve extended to the north, south, and even on top.”
The Minister made it clear that the Government will not entertain future claims for compensation from vendors illegally occupying the reserve. “We have been lenient, but once development starts to take place, the cries of ‘I was living here and I have to get compensation’ will start. I’ve been hearing it around the country, and I will not tolerate it.”
Vendors were strongly rebuked for the unsanitary state of the corridor, despite the Government placing nearly 40 garbage receptacles along the seawall. The Minister advised vendors to form a committee amongst themselves to ensure the space is kept clean and well maintained, warning that failure to maintain a clean environment can ultimately result in permit revocation. Ministry patrol teams will continue to actively monitor the area to ensure strict compliance.
The maintenance of the Kingston Seawall is paramount, not just as a premier recreational and tourism hub following recent beautification efforts, but primarily as a critical sea defense structure protecting the city. Illegal concrete casting, improper waste disposal, and unauthorized utility connections directly threaten the structural integrity and drainage capacity of this coastal defense mechanism.
Furthermore, Minister Edghill announced that infrastructural works are set to commence shortly to widen the road along the seawall. Vendors are required to immediately rectify their boundaries and restructure their operations to prevent any obstruction to these imminent national development works.
Discover more from INews Guyana
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
