Mayor claims Chaguanas vending problems solved

CHAGUANAS MAYOR Suruj Rambachan yesterday disclosed that a solution has been found to the problem of street vending in the borough for the Christmas season. One week ago, Chaguanas businessmen were vehemently opposed to plans to transform part of the town into a pedestrian shopping mall for the Christmas season.

The Mayor told Newsday that the Chaguanas Borough Corporation has since re-negotiated its lease on the car park near the Chaguanas Central Market with Nipdec. He said from December 1 to January 3, 2004, 100 vendors will be accommodated in the car park while an additional 40 will be allowed to vend on the nearby sidewalk. The Mayor explained that vendors must show proof that they are Caroni residents, pay a $1,000 fee and construct their own stalls.

Rambachan previously indicated that a photo ID system is being developed to weed out any illegitimate vendors. He also revealed that Saith Park and a facility owned by the Hindu Credit Union will be used as parking facilities for Christmas shoppers. “There will be absolutely no vending on the streets. The Chaguanas and Borough police will be out in full force,” Rambachan declared. The Mayor lamented that some of the businessmen were seemingly misled by former PNM candidate Ian Alleyne and expressed optimism that the new arrangement would redound to the benefit of all stakeholders.