Facing scrutiny over displacement of street vendors in the capital, St Lucian Housing and Local Government Minister Richard Frederick is pushing back against criticism, asserting that government action reflects a commitment to supporting, not sidelining, traders.
In a bid to modernise the urban economy while accommodating redevelopment plans led by Global Ports Holding (GPH), Frederick revealed that the government will roll out 22 mobile vending caravans to provide temporary alternatives for vendors who will be impacted by construction at the Castries port.
“This is not a government that doesn’t care about vendors; it’s the opposite,” Frederick stated during a pre-cabinet press briefing on Monday, May 26. “It is a government that wants vendors to be empowered, to create the enabling environment and to make them businesspeople.”
Port Redevelopment Forces a Rethink
Initially, the port redevelopment by GPH was expected to take a phased approach – rebuilding one section of the port, relocating vendors to the completed section, then continuing with the remaining works. But that plan has since changed.
According to Frederick, GPH has now requested full vacancy of the port space, making it impossible to implement the staggered strategy. The sudden shift has left the government searching for solutions.
“The sad reality is GPH is saying, ‘we cannot do this on a piecemeal approach’,” he said. “That is why and when the caravans will come to our assistance. It’s a headache, but we don’t want anybody on the breadline.”
Frederick stressed that no vendor in good standing will be left behind. “The first thing we need to do is to ensure that the vendors that occupied where GPH was and they are in good standing, they’ve done what they have to do, [then] they are taken care of with due dispatch.
“Whatever we can do to ameliorate the situation, we will.”
Details on the location, terms, and conditions for caravan deployment are still being determined.
Investment, Sanitation and Safety: Drawing the Line
Frederick defended his record on vendor support, pointing to the construction of permanent vending facilities, including the Bideau Park Vending facility, installations near the Gros Islet bus stop on Darling Road and structures near Massy Supermarket.
While expressing solidarity with vendors, Frederick also drew a hard line on sanitation issues, particularly with regard to coconut vendors and fish sellers operating in unsanitary conditions.
Referring to late-night inspections near the Anchorage area, the Minister described a concerning scene: “The amount of rats I saw traversing that area, just walking over coconuts like they were sand… those are the very nuts cut open for people to consume the following day. We had to take a different approach.”
Frederick also expressed frustration with fish vendors who ignore designated selling zones: “I will not spend $300,000 to give you a very appeasing, appealing and comfortable place with the two quintessential facilities; ice and running water necessary for fish and then you still want to take a cart and drive in the middle of town and to leave all your fish water and fish guts all over the place. That cannot be tolerated..”
Framing the issue as a balancing act between public health, vendor livelihoods, and the country’s vital tourism sector, he added, “Our environment – our appeal – must be tourism-friendly. Let’s do it, and together we can make a difference.”
For once I agree with Frederick. Saint Lucians like mediocrity. It’s time we do things bigger, better in the interest of all citizens. We should move on from this vie qui vie attitude and make progress. The vendors, though I empathise with then they should understand that some inconvenience will happen. They should stop thinking of self and think in the interest of all. We need to develop our nation in the interest of all.
Let’s be honest – food poisoning and diseases is real – in addition mouse droppings can spread several diseases. Some of the most well-known include hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV), and salmonellosis. Hantavirus can cause a serious lung disease, while LCMV can cause a range of symptoms from mild flu-like illness to meningitis. Salmonellosis is a bacterial food poisoning that can be transmitted by contaminated food or water, and mice can contaminate all these sources.
I don’t like this guy for obvious reason but he is not wrong about the vending issue. Many of those vendors are nasty and turn whatever area they vend in very filthy loud and disgusting. They are partially responsible for Castries being as disgusting at it is. Remember if you get sick from those vendors nasty practices, you’re on your own. Lepto can kill.