By
KNews
In a move that was described as
discriminatory, workers from the Ministry of
Works yesterday completely dismantled a $500,000
butcher’s stall at Mon Repos, East Coast
Demerara, as they upped the ante on the illegal
occupation of government reserves.
Employees
from the Ministry of Works in the process of
dismantling the stall.
The workers using hammers and a welding torch,
reduced the stall to pieces, leaving popular
businesswoman Bibi Rahoman, the proprietor of
Bibi’s Butchery, in tears.
The workers claimed that the move came in the
wake of repeated warnings to the businesswoman
not to situate her stall on the government
reserve in front of her home.
The area in front of Rahoman’s home is
reserved for parking for patrons attending the
nearby Mon Repos Market.
The Ministry had on several occasions moved to
remove Rahoman’s stall but relented after the
workers reportedly demanded cash from the
businesswoman.
Rahoman, who has operated the stall in front of
her home for more than 30 years, selling mutton,
duck and other exotic meats, has been
desperately trying to get the Ministry’s
approval to temporarily vend at the location.
She claims that since the authorities permit
vending on the reserve by others on market days,
despite the presence of a multi-million dollar
market, she too should be allowed to operate
within close proximity of her home.
This newspaper has observed that there are
several other vendors, selling similar products
being allowed unhindered access to the reserve.
The businesswoman told this newspaper that since
her stall is mobile, it did not pose a hindrance
to motorists or any other person.
A few months ago, Rahoman was forced to relocate
her stall just outside her fence while the
authorities facilitated parking in front of her
gate.
This she said was very spiteful, since on market
days, egress and ingress to her property was
hindered because of the vehicles parked there.
It also affected her business since potential
customers shy away from her location because of
the lack of parking.
According to Rahoman, she made contact with
Minister Robeson Benn via telephone, to work out
an arrangement for her to temporarily occupy the
reserve on market days, just like other vendors.
“He told me to meet with him tomorrow (today).
That was just before the workers came. When I
tried contacting him later as the stall was
being destroyed, I could not get him,” the
distraught businesswoman told Kaieteur News.
She said that if the Ministry does not move
against other vendors she might be seeking legal
advice.
“If they do the same to everybody, at least I
will be satisfied that there is a level playing
field. I am a single parent who has to support
two small sons in the USA and if this matter is
not resolved fairly, I might as well pack up and
leave Guyana,” Rahoman said.
During yesterday’s operation, Rahoman openly
confronted the workers, pointing out who had
fleeced her of cash to allow her stall to remain
on the reserve.
In the presence of several police ranks, none of
the workers identified denied Rahoman’s
accusations.