24oCArima vendors complain of being locked out of market
Marlene Augustine
ARIMA vendors hoping to get last minute sales of ground provision on the Easter long-weekend, instead, complained of being locked out of the market.
Vendor Vashti Jagessar, who said she has been selling there for the past 35 years, complained to Newsday that her business was suffering because the main entrance to the market has been locked by market inspectors.
“Today is Good Friday, a day where a lot of customers come out to make their market. Imagine a lot of my customers calling me to ask me why the market is closed.
They are turning away because if they see the main entrance is locked how they expect people to come in? One gate at the side of the market is opened but customers are not using that entrance. They did not gave no explanation to why they locked the main entrance of the market.”
“My business and other vendors are really suffering especially at this time because all the customers are turning away. All our stocks are remaining on the tables because there are no customers coming into the market,” Jagessar said said yesterday.
When contacted, Arima Mayor Lisa Morris-Julian said she did not know why one of the entrances to the market was locked.
“I understand the Arima administration extended the hours for vendors during the Easter weekend form 6am to 6pm, but I was contacted a few minutes ago and was informed one of the gates are locked.
“I am currently trying to make calls to the municipal police to get some information and I am looking into the matter.The market has eight entrances and I cannot say what is the reason for one of the entrances to be closed.”
When contacted, Insp Prieto, head of the Arima Municipal Police, said the pedestrian gate facing on the eastern side of the market was locked, however, there are several gates of the market that are accessible.
“At the locked gateway there are seven condemned stalls. There were five vendors who needed spots to sell and the market clerk, last year, got the advice from the safety officer to allow vendors to use three of the stalls in the interim.”
She said the vendors have been breaching the market rules, every day, by blocking the passage way.
“On Saturday afternoon on my watch, those same vendors continued and their names and addresses were taken. They were warned about intended prosecution and they all were informed that the gate eastern gate of the market would be closed today (yesterday) until they comply with the rules.
“They are blocking the passageway and obstructing pedestrians and by locking the gate it will help for the day. The gate will open once the vendors comply with the rules,” she said
Insp Prieto said she was advised by the Fire Service and safety officers that the locking of the gate was no danger to the public since there are other gates on the eastern side which is accessible to the public.