THE Bideau Park Facility has now been officially opened and when I passed in the area on Wednesday, I saw vendors were already occupying the facility.
To begin this article, I would like to make reference to the Holy Bible.
Philip the disciple and apostle of Jesus called his friend Nathanael, also called Nathaniel, to meet Jesus. And Jesus made Nathanael an apostle. Nathanael was a disciple as well as an apostle.
Now what kind of person was Nathanael? He was restless, meaning that he was always on the move without taking a rest; sociable, meaning people-oriented; a lover of change; and a seeker of adventure. Very importantly, he was versed in law.
For a very long time now, the Castries City Council has had to respond to the problems associated with roadside vending, example areas like William Peter Boulevard, outside the Castries market, and, in recent times, the area around the old government printery and lower Laborie Street.
Now what are the challenges associated with roadside vending?
Firstly, there is a lack of infrastructure. Most of these vendors do not have structured space for vending. As a result, they set up steel huts, others simple have a large umbrella, some of them with projecting steel from those umbrellas, endangering the lives of their patrons and other passersby.
Lack of storage facilities is another problem associated with infrastructure.
Secondly, there is the problem of lack of sanitary services. Many times, during the course of the day, there would be need for a toilet. The nearest toilet in the vicinity of the vending area would be about 100 yards away, at the Castries City Council building.
Thirdly, there is the problem of lack of access to electricity. Many of these vendors sell food to the public and may need to blend or warm the foods which are in their possession for sale. They may also need to charge their phones in case they need to receive important telephone calls associated with their businesses.
Other problems associated with roadside vending are traffic flow; the space is usually insufficient to allow for free movement of patrons and other members of the public; noise and air pollution; vehicles make a lot of noise and lift the dust on the streets that make breathing uncomfortable for the vendors.
Now it must be understood that street food vendors need licenses to sell food to the public. And this is a legal requirement for anyone selling food to members of the public. They also need social security. By social security I mean protective insurance to guard against accidents.
Now what are the side effects of street food? The most common is bacteria responsible for food-borne diseases which could cause diarrhoea and vomiting or just fever.
Indeed, what are some key factors in roadside vending, or even vending generally?
Success of street vending include business experience, food preparation, obtaining less expensive raw materials, and even the age of the vendor. Success also depends on the computational skills of the vendor. As an adult educator and someone trained in business management, I am aware of these key areas in street vending.
We come now to Philip and Nathanael, servants of the people. Hon. Richard Frederick possesses the characteristics associated with Nathanael the disciple and apostle of Jesus.
Philip and Nathanael/ Richard are government apostles sent by Jesus to be of service to humanity; that is, the people of St. Lucia. They are promoting, very vigorously, the slogan: “Putting People First”.
Indeed, roadside vending is not something we cannot do away with completely. I have been to countries in the Caribbean like Antigua, Dominica, Barbados, Martinique, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago and street vending is a Caribbean Phenomenon. I have seen roadside or street vending in Canada and the United States of America.
Hon. Richard Frederick like Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre is very passionate about meeting the needs of the poor, needy and dispossessed. The Minister with responsibility for Housing is well known for his efforts at providing cubicles or small huts around the city for vendors, among other amenities.
Indeed, the big issue here is that vendors must be able to earn a living. For many vendors, this is a form of gainful employment.
Now the Hon. Richard Frederick, Minister of Housing, has caused to be constructed a number of units, about 24 in number, for vendors to occupy. This action would, no doubt, improve the aesthetics of the city, which is a touristic choice for scores of tourists who visit our beautiful island.
In his remarks at the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Philip Pierre indicated that street vendors deserve a better way of life, however they must be allowed to vend in an area that is clean, safe and humanizing, or words to that effect.
Indeed, I am sure that the Hon. Richard Frederick was pleased with those remarks.
I have not actually gone into any of the units. But I am sure that the vendors are exceedingly happy with the new units which they now occupy for vending.