BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - MEMBERS of the Port Zante Merchants Association are lashing out against the alleged hazardous and business-affected environment caused by smoke that emanates from the barbecue grills of one local vendor. And in their plight they have dubbed the area “Smoke Zante”.
SKNVibes recently had an exclusive interview with four of these merchants who, under the condition of anonymity, shared their concerns about being adversely affected health and business wise with regards to the placement of the vendor.
Allegedly, the vendor was given permission to work that area by Minister of Tourism Richard ‘Ricky’ Skerritt and the Association is planning to take legal action soon.
This media house was informed that the barbecue vendor, who has been in that particular area for some eight weeks, operates on Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at one of the western entrance/exit points in the vicinity of Sole E Mar Souvenir Shop and Rum Barrel.
The vendor is said to have four grills and he prepares fish, chicken and lobster.
It was further explained that the smoke, which regularly enters the stores that are in proximity of the barbecue grilling area, has caused a lot of the clothing and other merchandise to smell of it.
As it relates to health, it was pointed out that the smoke has been affecting some of the merchants’ eyes, causing redness and other irritations as well as being a nuisance to cruise ship visitors and others who visit Port Zante.
Sanitation was another topic touched on by the merchants who claimed that the bones eaten from the cooked meat are normally thrown in all parts of their working environment.
Members of the Association said they had conveyed their concerns to Minister Skerritt, who allegedly has not made good on rectifying the matter despite their numerous efforts to have a meeting with him.
The merchants are collectively asking that the barbecue vendor be relocated outside of Port Zante in the area where other barbecues operators are found; an open area that allows the smoke to be ventilated without being a nuisance.
According to one merchant, “The smell and the smoke is a killer.”
Reportedly, a complaint was made to the Police Commissioner, Celvin ‘CG’ Walwyn, who, along with General Manager of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), Keith Phillip, tried to arrest the issue.
However, according to the merchants, about three Fridays ago the barbecue vendor was asked by the police to leave the area but he returned shortly after with the permission of Minister Skerritt.
“(We) approached the Police Commissioner for for help and he personally came. And after communicating with UDC Manager Mr. Keith Philip, police asked the BBQ vendor to leave the premises and the BBQ vendor left but he was back in an hour after getting permission from Minister himself.”
The Association has made it clear that it has nothing against local vendors trying to make a living, indicating that “we are not against local vendors but this is a serious health issue.”
“Port Zante storeowners are not against vendors, but in this particular case the smoke and smell is affecting health of all store owners and has become a major health issue for a few persons”, added a member of the Association.
SKNVibes was also told that “there was so much smoke last Friday (Sept. 13) that all the goods in the stores smelled of smoke from BBQ and a lot of customers felt sick. Even the store owners couldn't function normally because of the smell and smoke”.
One of the souvenir storeowners pointed out that on that Friday there was so much smoke that customers did not enter his store.
He highlighted that even if he closes the doors of his business place, the fumes still manage to get inside his store.
Reportedly, some storeowners have not been able to sell goods as the smoke has affected all their of their merchandise and the smell is now in all the clothes they are selling.
One merchant, from a high-end sun glasses outlet, addressed the disadvantage he had recently in having to take down the expensive products to clean in order to showcase to the customers, adding that “the customers thought it was fog”.
Another Association member opined that collectively as merchants they have invested millions of dollars in Port Zante and therefore it is very important in making sure that such relationship is “successful”.
“We came here with the sole purpose to invest and give back investment”, he remarked.
He also holds the view that should the matter be resolved, as they are calling for, then it would definitely be a “win win situation” for everyone.
A call was placed to the St. Kitts Tourism Authority in an attempt to speak with Minister Skerritt about the matter, but this media house was informed that he is currently off island and learnt that his Permanent Secretary Patricia Martin, too, is also overseas.
