…health must take priority – Mayor, as vendors face stricter rules

Vending in the vicinity of Robb Street, Alexander Street and Bourda Street, Georgetown, has been paused as the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) have initiated a cleanup exercise to address the unsanitary conditions in the area. Last week, the vendors were ordered to cease trading and remove all structures to facilitate a cleanup exercise from Monday to Wednesday. The exercise intends to address sanitation, drainage and sewage-related issues in the area.

Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore inspected works on Monday, where he emphasised the importance of this exercise, noting that “sometimes we got to stop prioritising economics over health.” “What we’re trying to achieve here, as you can see, is regularise how the vendors operate. We’ve had conversations with not only the vendors but people who own properties here, and we realise that we have to do something to be able to fix and have this place in a way that is more healthy and more habitable for people selling vegetable and fruits and otherwise, and we believe the place was not as clean as it should [be],” the Georgetown Mayor said.