(Kaieteur News) – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has cautioned the government against letting its market rehabilitation projects result in the displacement of vendors.

Member of Parliament (MP) Saiku Andrews told the media on Friday that the rehabilitation programme, led by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, has the potential to improve commercial conditions, public health, and economic opportunities for vendors and their communities. But he stressed that success will depend on careful planning, meaningful consultation, and disciplined execution — not public relations exercises or ceremonial sod-turnings. He also pointed to the Ministry’s strained relationship with the Georgetown municipality as a further challenge to the programme’s success.

“We are concerned that the rule of law is never suitable to the PPP/C [People’s Progressive Party Civic] except when it is in opposition. APNU is extremely concerned that the overly ambitious agenda of five sod-turnings in two weeks is on track to maintain the PPP/C’s failed record of poorly executed and over-cost projects that often lack adequate public input,” Andrews said.