Story Created:
Jul 29, 2011 at 1:46 AM ECT
Story Updated:
Jul 29, 2011 at 1:46 AM ECT
The Ministry of Tobago Development headed by Minister Vernella Alleyne-Toppin held a business forum last Wednesday at the Fairfield Complex. The aim of the meeting was to offer guidance to vendors who were removed on July 8 for illegally plying their trade in downtown Scarborough.
Under the heading 'Charting the Way Forward', the forum included officials from YTEPP, the Business Development Company, the National Enterprise Development Company and Eastern Credit Union - all offering financial advice to displaced vendors.
"We have called you together here to make sure that we give you a way forward, an opportunity to go forward, and to be an even better businessperson," Alleyne-Toppin said.
Minister Toppin said she had expressed the opinion that she supported the THA's action and that was still her position.
Some of the vendors spoke of their anger on the day but have now come to accept efforts being made to provide them with valued advice so that they have options of what they can and cannot do.
Manager of Eastern Credit Union Hazel-Ann Roberts said prudent management is necessary in moving forward as business persons. "It's really just about prudent management; it is about taking what you have and managing it. It is about you all. A lot of persons don't have the drive and skill to start a business and go forward, but you all have that," Roberts said.
Vendors expressed thanks for the advice given from officials present. They did admit things are harder than before, but they expressed a will to move forward.
It was later agreed by the Ministry that talks will take place with the Tobago House of Assembly to chart a way forward.
At last Wednesday's post Executive Council press briefing, Chief Secretary Orville London also addressed the vendors' issue.
He said that while focus and sympathy is rightly shown to them, there are also those business people who are doing all the right things and abiding the rules but no business is going their way because of the competition from those operating from illegal structures.
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Anonymous said on Thursday, Aug 4 at 2:30 PM
Illegal immigrants our not, they are in the country legally, and has the right to support themselves financialy.Changes are comm,ing till Tobago, its about beign equipt to handle thes changes effectively, If you cannot grow with the country constructivly then you should not be in goverment. You are asking for the tourism sectors growth, with that comes people from all over to make a living, To be prepared for tourism is to be prepared for all kinds and different ways of how till deal with the growing population and investors.
71813329conscioustringonian said on Monday, Aug 1 at 11:12 AM
The THA needs to put proper infrastructure in place to ensure that the needs of those whose booths are demolished, fine alternative accommodation. There should be a mall built for these individuals on a prorata basis maybe 2 or 3 days a week. It also seems that many individuals form the other islands just come to T&T to make money, they are not patriotic and do not care about the country, they do not care if they build shacks in the town; they also help to increase the crime situation, so we need to deal with that issue. Respect
71621099james said on Saturday, Jul 30 at 7:55 AM
the flea market boths should be only 8 by 8 with a 8 foot table at front. I think this would be a great business oportunity for a land owner on the prominade.renting space 365 days a year at 1$ a square foot with only a small investment in bathroom facilities. proper metal roof with no wa
71537069james walker said on Saturday, Jul 30 at 7:49 AM
the flea market boths could be reserved each day for a 10tt payment in advance if the vender can not make a profit at 10tt a day he should get a job.thats 300tt a month. if he wishes to not work one day the both will be given to the next vendor applying for space.and that vendor looses his reservation
71536853James A walker said on Saturday, Jul 30 at 7:45 AM
there are numerous properties on the prominaud where a flea market could be established with proper bathroom fasilities and tables or boths could be rented to the venders for 10TT per day.the market would be licensed and the venders can ply their trad honestly productively leagely in a flea market atmas
71536729Desuperman said on Saturday, Jul 30 at 4:12 AM
That is typical Vernella Alleyne-Toppin, looking to score cheap political points with false hopes and promises. Does she have a place to put them? Absolutely not! So why did she meet with them? And of course Derson Charles is there to give her all the media coverage she needs, so Tobagonians could see "how hard she working". Talk about PR?
71533662Ricky said on Friday, Jul 29 at 11:50 AM
Give me a break 3/4 of the persons whose structured were demolished are immigrants mostly illegally from other CARICOM nations. There were some Trinidadians here and there. It is unfair that we would allow these people to come to Tobago to destroy its beauty. Go home to your own country where you can do that.
71493946Town Dawg said on Friday, Jul 29 at 7:50 AM
Minister Toppin, leave the THA to sort out this issue. They would know what they want the town to look like and will provide suitable accomodation for the vendors. Don't go making any promises now, we don't need another Miss World type, 'he say - she say' in this issue.
71480561Anonymous said on Friday, Jul 29 at 7:37 AM
Although, i find it sympathetical that the presiding goverment found the time to meet with the vendors, i find it confusing that they still believe that the eviction of these vendors is okay. they would now be discussing ways on how they can move forward. it all sounds honorably, but these are things that should have beign put into place and action before all unnessary poverty aanxiety and emotional torture these people had to surcum to. I wonder if it would be easy for the presiding goverment to loose their jobs with no means of immediate help. If they would still hold the same position in thought. that they support the decision to be without work and means to continue to finance there living surcomstances.This pretence sincere concern is a slap in the face to anyones intelligence.No matter how its looked at our how well makeup its well covered with, until we see a definite progessive and beneficial help put into action and place for these people .i say they are playing politics.
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