BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WITH more vendors popping up along the sidewalks in downtown Basseterre, the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Eugene Hamilton, is looking to host a meeting with them and other stakeholders to remedy the problem.
It was earlier last year that the government was looking to fix the street vending problem, which to many “seems to be getting out of hand”.
But Hamilton, during an SKNVibes’ interview yesterday (Aug. 14), explained that it was just last week he had spoken to one of his officers to gather all the vendors for a meeting to discuss the way forward.
The Minister stated that they would be holding discussions on two fronts; one is to look at ending the vending problem and also to address a growing concern over the vendors dumping garbage under the bridge adjacent to the Social Security building.
“It is a risk to shoreline down there,” Hamilton said, “especially if you have rainfall overnight and the weekend.”
Further, the Minister stated that there is a growing problem with vendors camping out in front of business establishments, and remedying that situation would include the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Tourism, and not only the Ministry of Health.
“The truth is that people are affected on the roads because many would have to walk off the sidewalks and into the traffic to get where they would want to go. It is a matter that Cabinet would have to discuss in greater detail,” he said.
Reiterating it is a matter that the government is very much concerned about, Hamilton pointed out that they are keeping an eye on the matter as there is a large number of vendors around Basseterre camping on the streets.
The Ministry of Agriculture had made moves to upgrade the Basseterre Market with a view to having vendors relocate from the streets, but many of them are reluctant to take that option, as they have in previous media interviews indicated that the market limits the way they made their sale, especially since that facility closes early in the afternoon.
Hamilton however said that the government would be working to ensure that the vendors find a permanent place where they could relocate, as the market facility could not house the growing numbers.
“We are trying to do what we can to allow the vendors find a permanent place, rather than having ad hoc businesses across the sidewalks. And, of course, to ensure that while they are doing that they must understand that when they are finished the place must be left clean.”
Though there has not been a timeframe for meeting with the vendors and stakeholders, SKNVibes understands that it is expected to be held very soon.
