Port-of-Spain mayor Louis Lee Sing says the City Corporation would embark upon its drive to clean and beautify the capital "with or without the co-operation of the vendors."
Lee Sing also spoke about facilities and booths that he would establish on behalf of the vendors. He made these comments during a meeting with about 100 vendors on the Brian Lara Promenade, Port-of-Spain, yesterday. During the dialogue and discussions about vending, relocation, sanitation and vagrancy, president of the Vendors' Association Melba Boxhill was adamant that vendors would not be moving from Charlotte Street to City Gate. But as the meeting wound to a close, Lee Sing had the last word. He said: "Ultimately, the responsibility for the management, leadership and control of the city rests with the office of the mayor and it is our responsibility to ensure there is a better-quality city.
"And, whether, the vendors appreciate it or not that is the direction in which we will be moving. "It was not about vending on Charlotte Street alone, but, across the city." But during the meeting, he said, his approach was "democratic" and he invited ten people to air their concerns. He also suggested they write their comments and he would respond to it. Lee Sing said: "When I went to school in Jamaica. I saw Jamaica become two cities. Old Kingston and New Kingston. Port-of-Spain for some reason is losing its shine."
'Grow your business'
Zeroing on the discussion about the facilities, Lee Sing made reference to his financial acumen and vision as president of the Eastern Credit Union. He said: "I have always encouraged people to have businesses. "I do not want to put you in a place with no toilets and no facilities. I want to put you in a place where you can grow your business and your children can take it over. "To those of you who think Charlotte Street is the utopia... I am going to put proper 8x10 stores, not plywood, in a good high-traffic area. "I am saying to you that if you open your eyes. It is going to be done in a structured way."
During her contribution, Boxhill said: "We build Charlotte Street and we make Charlotte Street. We paying our money. If you want to fix... fix the doubles vendors, the papers man but leave the vendors on Charlotte Street. The former mayor (Murchison Brown) fix us there. We not going to move." Boxhill's pronouncements were greeted with a round of applause and vociferous support by fellow vendors.
New proposal
Relying on slides, Raul Poon Kong outlined the proposal for the relocation of the vendors. The first proposal–return the market to Charlotte Street. Second proposal–George, Chacon and Henry Street be opened to vending. "We are looking at City Gate. There should be more vending where the traffic is." About 300,000 citizens enter the city and 200,000 enter and exit via City Gate, Port-of-Spain.