Shoppers shun unsanitary MoBay market, say vendors

WESTERN BUREAU:

Dozens of disgruntled vendors who operate out of the Charles Gordon Market in Montego Bay are blaming the St James Municipal Corporation and the market's management for shoppers refraining from using the facility because of deplorable and unsanitary conditions.

The vendors claim that it has been months since the market was power-washed.

"Not even pigs would survive in this sort a mud and unsanitary condition," said one vendor, who gave his name as Mikey Sawyers. "Mi deh a market wid mi mother from mi born, and this is the worst I have ever seen the market. Wi have to sell in a pure mud, and rain don't have to fall fi we in a mud. Not even a good pig farmer would raise his pigs in this yah condition."

One female vendor, who identified herself only as Thelma, said that the holiday season was one of the worst they had experienced at the market.

"Most of us disciplined vendors who operate inside the Charles Gordon Market over the years were forced to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays selling on the streets because the bulk of shoppers are no longer on the inside due to the unsanitary conditions," said Thelma.

The vendors also identified other problems such as late garbage collection, stagnant water in the drains, and fees of up to $100 for toilet tissue to use in broken-down washrooms where occupants are partially visible to the public.

Montego Bay's mayor, Homer Davis, told The Gleaner that he was aware of some of the issues at the market.

"We're now going through a busy period due to the holiday, but I will be looking to address the problems being faced at the market by the vendors as swiftly as we can," said Davis.

"As for the unsanitary conditions mentioned by the vendors, I will have to meet with the market manager to see the nature of the problem so we can address them in the best way possible," he added.

Unsanitary conditions at the Charles Gordon Market has been a recurring complaint from vendors over the years, with many calling for a more suitable location to accommodate them.