When it comes to corporations of the Government whose performance exceed their mandate and are not characterised by rancour or controversy, the Barbados Tourism Investment Inc. (BTII) stands out as a shining beacon.
As far as projects undertaken by the BTII that have made for a decidedly more environmentally-friendly Barbados, there is no shortage of well executed ventures to highlight. From the Richie Haynes Boardwalk to the Speighstown Waterfront project the BTII’s work has enhanced the lives and livelihood of countless Barbadians.
It is our considered view, however, that no project undertaken so far by BTII comes close to being compared with the Constitution River Redevelopment Project, two phases of which have been completed, with one left to be done.
Anyone who has ever stood in one of the corridors of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and looked down on the Constitution River would have no difficulty contrasting it today with the garbage-filled, mosquito-infested swamp that it was two years ago.
It’s an urban green space that can match and surpass any to be found in any other Caribbean city, and the fact that Barbadians can now be found strolling leisurely along its banks in the evening or sailing model boats in its much improved water confirms that it has been accepted as a place to be enjoyed.
Our beef, however, is with the no-vending rule that accompanies this multi-million dollar project – rules which led to the stall of Hindsbury Road vendor Herbert Courtland being demolished by authorities before he could put even one item in it for sale.
Yes, the stall did not complement the area aesthetically!
Yes, Courtland had no permission from the Town and Country Planning Development Office to set up there!
Yes, he had no vendor’s licence from the Ministry of Agriculture to peddle his ware there!
On these three grounds the authorities had every right to act as they did.
Add to that the fact that scores of other vendors across The City have displayed such bad habits when it comes to keeping the streets of Bridgetown clean that it is not hard to understand why authorities would be reluctant to open this green space to such activity.
However, we must ask: Does vending have to be at odds with beauty and cleanliness? Can’t we maintain our green spaces the way we would like and still permit vending.
We believe the answer is yes. First of all, we do not believe any vendor should be able to build his or her stall along the banks of the Constitution River, but that the very capable planners at BTII can come up with a complementary design and appropriate places where they can be set up.
If vendors have a stake in the venture and they are made to feel an integral part of its development then we believe they will be inclined to treat it as their own – they will feel obligated to protect it.
It is not too late to include the vendors in this project.
