BASSETERRE, St. Kitts –- VENDORS at the AMINA Craft Market on Port Zante are dissatisfied with the conditions under which they have to ply their trade, and claim that those in authority are not addressing their complaints.
Last week when SKNVibes Business visited the commercial center, a number of craft and clothing vendors voiced their concerns, citing rainy weather, inadequate drainage system and poor construction of stalls as some of the many problems faced at the Amina Craft Market.
One vendor said that whenever there is heavy rainfall the market would be flooded and her items on sale would be drenched if she does not act quickly, because of the manner in which the stalls were constructed.
“They should try and renovate and make it better for the weather conditions. It is very challenging to us when the rains come because I would have to pull everything in. I would also have to move my tables, not only from the rain that is being propelled by strong winds, but also from the leaking roofs. They should put something in place to avoid the rain from coming into the stalls…something that would act as a windbreaker.”
She said that numerous complaints were made to the authorities but they all seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.
“We have been complaining for years now and they have been coming and looking at the place, but they have not done anything to rectify the situation. The other day they came with surveyors to look at the place but they have not done anything.”
The vendor added that whenever the rain falls heavily, especially during the hurricane season, walkways at the market are flooded and this adversely affects customers going there to purchase from them.
Another vendor said that in addition to the weather condition, problems of vandalism are being experienced on a regular basis.
“My stall is usually vandalised by persons who walk the area at night because there is no proper security along the Port for the Market. People would come in here at nights and eat. They would leave their bones and we would have to clean up. They should also do something about the security.”
She noted that damage to her stall are numerous and all costs have to be borne by her.
“They pulled out all of my light fittings. I come and I have met the tables broken, I come and have met the bulbs pulled out…I had to replace all of those.
“One morning I came and found the walls of my stall smeared with ketchup. It is even worse at Christmas time. I strongly believe this is done by young vagabonds. The solution to this problem is that the authorities should put doors to these stalls so that we can lock them when we close at the end of the day.”
The vendor claimed that several reports were made at the Ministry of Tourism but they were constantly met with “we will look into it”.
