However, up to 8:00 in the evening, traffic was still being detoured from Bay Street and workmen could be seen manning trucks carrying bleacher equipment.
The Guardian could not confirmed Sunday night who gave the order for the C3 Seating Company’s workmen to halt their work, which caused a major traffic diversion.
However, a government spokesman who wished not to be named, said “both the Minister of Culture and the Minister of Tourism have pledged to minimise the disruption to business on Bay Street.
Culture Minister Neville Wisdom told the Guardian on Friday that it was requested from the bleacher company that “the seating be erected as late as possible with disassembly taking place as quickly as possible after the parades.”
The Junior Junkanoo parade is scheduled for Dec. 11, with Boxing Day Dec. 26 and New Years Day Jan. 1.
The Guardian news team observed the aluminum bleachers being assembled from Charlotte Street to Parliament Street and in Rawson Square. There were three large trailers packed with the pieces of aluminum that were being assembled into bleachers.
Several merchants are expected to meet with Minister Wisdom today and they are also requesting a meeting with Prime Minister Perry Christie, presently attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Nigeria.
The store owners say the erection of the bleachers on Bay Street will negatively impact December revenues up to 20 per cent, which amounts to $7.5 million in sales.
The Nassau Guardian
