PM warns against illegal vending

With Digicel already spending almost $200 million to repair markets in downtown Kingston and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) committing millions more, Prime Minister Bruce Golding is adamant that no illegal vending will be allowed on the streets.

Golding yesterday admitted that not all the markets in downtown Kingston were in an acceptable state but, he said, plans were in place to make the improvements.

Addressing journalists and vendors at the handover of the section of the Coronation Market refurbished by Digicel, Golding vowed that sellers would not be allowed to set up stalls in the no-vending areas.

"We have enough space in the market district for all the vendors ... . I will admit that some of it is in unsatisfactory condition and, therefore, as we try to restore order, we have to fix up the accommodation that is available," Golding declared.

He said the USAID recently agreed to provide funds to help repair some of the markets.

"I appealed to them, very recently, for funds to fix up some of the other market accommodations, that are here so that those vendors who have been told that they cannot be allowed to vend on the streets can have proper accommodation, and I was very pleased to receive word from the USAID that the funds that have been requested have been approved," added Golding.

He said discussions involving USAID, the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation and the Urban Development Corporation were under way for work to begin almost immediately.

Hopeful completion date

"I'm going to do everything possible to see how we can do as much of that work as possible before Christmas so that those vendors who are no longer allowed to sell on the road will have proper accommodation," said Golding.

The prime minister, who is also member of parliament for West Kingston, where the market district falls, was obviously pleased with the work done by Digicel in Phase One of its refurbishing of the Coronation Market.

The new-look facility, with streets named after popular Jamaican produce, was handed over yesterday with some vendors being assigned stalls.

"Me like it and it look good," said Lucilda Kelly, who has been selling in Coronation Market since 1982 and who was assigned stall No. 292.

"I think it is okay and the stalls are all right," added Lucille Taylor, who was assigned stall No. 91.

In accepting the commendations from the government officials and vendors, Colm Delves, group chief executive officer of Digicel, noted that the company, which is constructing its corporate offices on the Kingston Waterfront, has big plans for downtown Kingston.

"This is all part of bringing downtown Kingston back to its former glory," Delves said.