BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AS talks continue over the growing vending problem along sidewalks in Central Basseterre, the Government has not given any consideration to the possibility of constructing small community markets in an effort to minimize the problem.
Minister of Agriculture the Hon. Eugene Hamilton told SKNVibes that there is significant growth in what farmers have been producing in recent times, and as a result they are looking for new venues to sell their crops.
This has been a challenge added to the Basseterre Market which had its fair share of bad experiences.
“If you look at the roof at the market at the moment, it would appear that the work that was undertaken back in 2014 would not have been properly completed or had not taken certain things into consideration,” Minister Hamilton said of the Market in Basseterre during a recent interview.
He however disclosed that a concept note was being considered by the Ministry of Agriculture that would see the Government carrying out further improvements to the largest market in the Federation.
“In fact, we have a concept note for work to be done on the market. It would not happen tomorrow [but] it is a concept note that I would be taking to my Cabinet colleague to consider. If my Cabinet colleagues consider it, then it would mean that we would move ahead with a project that would mean enhancement for the market.”
The topic of vending was thrust into the spotlight earlier this year when several vendors, without prior notice, were removed from one section of the roadway in Central Basseterre.
Many citizens and residents took to the airwaves to complain about the long-standing problem that the vendors are creating along the sidewalks.
One such person is President of the Disability Association, Anthony Mills, who pointed out that on a number of occasions he was forced to use the busy roadways to get around town, since vendors and their customers would occupy most of the sidewalks.
The wheelchair-bound Mills claimed that oftentimes he is scared of being thrown out of his mobility machine when he uses the sidewalk due to crowds that are there during the busy periods.
Asked if the Government would consider constructing a number of small markets in outlying areas to alleviate the problem of congestion, Minister Hamilton stated that is not in the Government’s immediate plans, but he had observed a number of persons had established small shops along the roadways that allow them to ply their trade on a daily basis.
“I have seen something when you enter Basseterre from the west, I have seen something when you enter Basseterre from the eastern side, but I don’t believe that in Central Basseterre itself that we would have any immediate plans for additional small markets. Because, as you know, this one that we have right now needs to be properly sustained.”
