Cross Roads Market a health hazard

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am writing with reference to Carolyn Cooper’s column, ‘Papine Market dump right back to filthy’, published in The Sunday Gleaner on March 10, I would like draw attention to the deplorable state of the Cross Roads Market.

Cross Roads houses the following major institutions: a police station, a tax office, a commercial bank, a credit union, a hospital, the Carib5 cinema, two major consumer stores, supermarkets, several restaurants, schools, factories and residencies.

You would think that the patrons using these facilities are deserving of a clean market which will serve the community and beyond. Not so! The market is NOT wholesome. Garbage is thrown near the entrance, attracting flies, rats, dogs and cats that roam freely. Mentally challenged persons and animals are free to eat discarded material and defecate anywhere. The smell during the midday sun is overpowering.

Food for sale is in proximity to garbage. Given these unhygienic conditions, persons who purchase food here, and the vendors themselves, are at risk. The building in which vendors display their goods is falling apart, and the road to enter the market is riddled with potholes. On a windy day, a blanket of dust from the ‘road’ settles on the items for sale.

I have travelled to other Caribbean islands and visited their markets. Without exception, they have all been clean, well laid out, with proper disposal of garbage. Why can’t we do the same at the Cross Roads Market? Coronation Market had a facelift, but the surrounding area also needs attention. If we are to attract more purchasers of the wholesome, home-grown food supplied by our farmers, the condition of markets must be improved.

CONCERNED CITIZEN