Opposition condemns Public Works Ministry highhandedness towards vendors

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The Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) is condemning the Ministry of Public Works for intervening into the affairs of the City of Georgetown without any consultation with the elected representatives of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council.

In a recent statement, from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, it was made known the Opposition and Mayor and City Council stand in full support of the vendors eking out a living in the very difficult post-COVID 19 era.

In the first place, declared the coalition, it is unconscionable that the Ministry of Public Works would seek to demolish their caravans.

“Secondly, it is most worrying that they are seeking to do it in the Christmas season when the Ministry should be spreading joy rather than bringing misery to the people of Guyana.

“Thirdly, in light of the high unemployment in Georgetown and Guyana generally it does appear that the government does not care for the people of Georgetown and should know that they will pay dearly for their illegal actions against the people of Georgetown.”

Last week the ministry sought to remove the vendors’ caravan by force and without the support of the City Council that has authority for vending in Georgetown. The vendors, supported by the councillors and mayor, members of the political opposition, and ordinary citizens resisted, which attracted the commendation of the Opposition.

The government has since withdrawn its action.  Vendors, however, live in daily fear the crane will return to remove their caravans.

The Opposition in flaying the government for seeking to displace those seeking to legitimately earn has stated “the government should be creating employment not destroying people’s livelihood.”

Further, according to the coalition, “the PPP action in Georgetown must signal to the people of the capital city that they mean no good. If they can seek to override the elected council to carry out their destructive activities, then it should send a clear signal to the citizenry that they should never allow the PPP to control the Mayor and City Council. To do that is to give them total power to disregard the interest of the people.”

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