Jubilee vendors angry with KSAC

Vendors in the Jubilee Market are accusing the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) of cruelty over its decision to order them out of the facility.

The angry vendors say the KSAC has given them nowhere to go despite a January 31 deadline to move out of the market that some have occupied for more than a decade.

"Me old now and a now them want me fi go sell on the roadside," said an elderly vendor who identified herself only as Crystal.

"Me a sell in the market before the fire (2003) and me lose seven barrels and three stalls of goods in that fire and them never help me, but now that me start over life, them a tell me fi move with nowhere to go," added Crystal.

Primrose, another vendor, was defiantly putting her shoes and slippers on display in the almost empty market when The Gleaner visited yesterday.

"Where must I go? I have been in the market for more than 12 years and nobody nuh talk to me, nobody nuh tell me nothing," said Primrose.

"What me really asking the KSAC is to give us a location, tell us where you are going to send us. Nobody not resisting, but we are entitled to somewhere to go," argued yet another vendor, Rose.

Answers to come

But Town Clerk Errol Greene said all the vendors' questions would be answered during a meeting scheduled for 1 o'clock this afternoon at the KSAC.

Greene challenged the claim that no provision has been made for the vendors.

"We have space for them in Redemption Market. You need to go there and see that there is space for them," said the town clerk.

He would not comment on the vendors' claim that a prominent private-sector entity was paying the KSAC top dollar for the land which housed the market.

The land, at the corner of West Queen and Orange streets in the heart of the market district, is considered prime real estate.

However, the vendors are challenging the claim that there is space in the Redemption Market.

"The original people them full up that market and there is nowhere for someone like me," said Ganga, who operated a well-stocked bar and cookshop in the market.

Pointing to the shell of the once-popular drinking spot, Ganga said he had spent more than $400,000 to set up the facility, which included a clean and well-cared for bathroom.

"This is where me work since me was a boy selling clothes and now operating the bar and restaurant," added Ganga, as he looked sadly at the empty building.