Vendors, operating along the Kingston Seawall, have been warned to comply with the conditions of their provisional approvals or face removal.
Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill issued the stern warning during a meeting with vendors on Saturday to address a growing list of serious permit violations.
He was accompanied by the Head of the Sea and River Defence Board Kevin Samad and technical staff from the ministry.
Among the issues raised were unauthorised subletting, vendors living inside their stalls, illegal electrical connections, excessive noise, unauthorised structural extensions and poor sanitation and maintenance.
The public works minister said he was disappointed that standards had deteriorated since his previous engagement with the vendors.
“You all would have written and applied for these spots. You would have gotten provisional approval based upon certain conditions, which is lawful. I have had the need to meet with you before to enforce certain standards stipulated in your permits, but now you are backsliding, and hence I am here,” he said.
The minister reminded vendors that restrictions on vending and noise remain in effect in designated areas.
No vending is permitted from the Kitty Roundabout east to Sheriff Street, or west towards the 1823 Monument, he said.
Minister Edghill warned that vendors who continue to breach the boundaries could be removed permanently.
“I am urging you again to comply with the rules because we will have to come and move everybody. There won’t be a move back in like the last time; it would be picking you up and moving completely,” the minister stressed.
The minister also raised concerns about vendors converting mobile vending carts into permanent structures and living quarters.
He instructed the Sea and River Defence Board to immediately remove anyone found living at the site.
“Any vendor observed to be living out here must be immediately removed. This is becoming a major issue for us,” Edghill said.
He rejected claims that people occupying the stalls were merely acting as watchmen.
The minister further warned that vendors who illegally occupy the reserve should not expect compensation if the structures are removed during future development.
“We have been lenient, but once development starts to take place, the cries of ‘I was living here and I have to get compensation’ will start. I have been hearing it around the country, and I will not tolerate it,” he said.
The condition of the seawall was another major concern raised during the meeting.
Despite the Government installing nearly 40 garbage receptacles along the corridor, vendors are failing to maintain the area.
He encouraged vendors to establish a committee to oversee cleanliness and maintenance, warning that continued neglect could result in permits being revoked.
The ministry’s patrol teams will continue monitoring the area to ensure vendors comply with the established conditions.2145