Cabinet set to address ongoing vending issue

New rules governing vending are being considered to address the growing safety and sanitary concerns.

Vending especially in the city and other parts of the country has become a bit of a nuisance for many as there has been an increase in the number of vendors occupying spots on the city roads and highways.

Cabinet is now planning to address that matter.

Cabinet Spokesperson Melford Nicholas explained on Thursday morning that the government is in no way trying to deter persons from making a profit but instead trying to bring order to the helter-skelter operation.

“It is not that we don’t understand the economic impact of vending. For many persons it’s their first step into business and we recognize that the most important impact of vendors where persons can support themselves independently within the economy without government having to find employment for them but there’s also the social impact and the esthetics of the rumbling sprawl of vendors here, there, and everywhere.

“I think the intention of the Cabinet here is to begin to look at ways of bringing some degree of semblance and order. It’s not just St. John’s itself, but the environment, particularly the highway. It becomes the favourite affair for vendors to set up on the sides of highways and take advantage of the flow in traffic and these are areas of concern that have allowed the country to run down.

So, while, vending on a whole is welcomed and will be encouraged we certainly want it to be in a manner which is pleasing to the environment,” Nicholas said.

He added that outlining a specific area like in most countries where they provide as a flea market could be one option that could be implemented.

The new rules could also include securing a permit to vend, permission to occupy certain spaces; and remaining clean according to the standards set out by the Central Board of Health.

What specific policies and a timeline for when they will be put into place was something Nicholas mentioned will take some time to flesh out.

“This is the early stage yet but i think the government wanted to signal it’s intention to the public that we want to do something about it,” he added.

The Minister of Works Maria Browne and Attorney General Sir Steadroy ‘Cutie’ Benjamin will oversee this project.