A section of the New Amsterdam Market
The New Amsterdam Municipal Market has been significantly transformed over the years, moving from being one of the worst kept markets to the cleanest in the country today, Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Director Indranauth Haralsingh said.
Speaking at a recent forum in the ancient county on places of interest, the TAG director singled out the 150-year-old market for high praise.
One councillor attached to the New Amsterdam Municipality said he was a bit surprised of the disclosure, while vendors say they cannot be more proud.
Vendors a few years ago were up in arms over the state of the market and its upkeep. Today they are pleased with the positive turnaround.
Acting Market Clerk Mark Henry credited the hard working and dedicated staff for the transformation.
He said the system of cleaning the market had been revised and improved. “We clean daily from 8:00h until 17:00h. We wash sections weekly.”
According to Henry, on Sundays after the vendors leave, the market is washed.
“We pressure wash the market also on Wednesdays and request of vendors to put the waste of their produce in bags or boxes for us to collect.”
Non-compliant vendors are slapped with a $1000 fine and repeated offenders could pay fines up to $5000.
Monthly meetings are also held with vendors and issues affecting them are addressed. “At some meetings, vendors complain of vendors who are not keeping their surroundings clean.”
Henry said too that stallholders who pay monthly fees will be fined $1000 for late payment, while those who pay weekly will be fined $300. Some vendors have arrears as far back as 2002.
Meanwhile, as the municipality turns its attention to illegal roadside vending, Haralsingh has issued an appeal to persons visiting the town of New Amsterdam to visit the municipal market.
By Guyana Times