Vendors Asked To Pay Stall Fees Despite Forced Closure

Vendors operating in Half Way Tree, St Andrew are disgruntled with the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC). They have been told to pay fees for stalls that were closed for three months following the outbreak of COVID-19 on the island. However, they have indicated they will not pay-risking possible eviction from the location.

“Are we to pay $16,000 and the stalls were locked up?” questioned a vendor. “Where are we going to get it?”

Another told CVM LIVE, “Right now mi can’t even find food fi eat so mi no know how mi a go pay stall fee.”

Several measures were implemented in the area to control the spread of the coronavirus. Curfew hours were introduced and a limit placed on gathering in public spaces. Vendors say they were required to close for a period but their stalls were broken into during that time. Now, they are being asked to pay a fee that they say they cannot afford.

“Each time wi come out fi work they say close the stall and go home so mi just has to watch and see what they doing.” said one vendor, another joined in to lament the crime and theft he’s experienced with his goods, “Every minute dem break my own and a nine-time now them break my own and is the only station I’m going and I can’t get it back,” said another vendor.

The Mayor of Kingston and St Andrew, Delroy Williams has been made aware of the issue. The vendors have also indicated that they are open to meeting with the municipality to address the issue.