In an official statement released by the Ministry of National Security yesterday, straw vendors were informed that extensive cleaning and repairs would be carried out within the straw market, on Wednesday, March 22 and on Thursday, March 23, 2006.
In a press statement, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Cynthia Pratt said, “some of the concerns that were brought to my attention by the vendors, were physical and infrastructure deficiencies, such as plumbing in the bathrooms, exposed electrical wiring, sale of non-Bahamian items, various criminal activities and a large illegal migrant presence.”
She said that since she and her ministry has assumed responsibility for the straw market on February 22, 2006, she has had the opportunity to speak and consult with many vendors and stakeholders.
“Monday last, I visited and toured the market to get a first hand impression of the conditions under which the vendors work, their concerns and the issues that confront them on a daily basis.”
Pratt said that she met with a committee which was comprised of various persons from government agencies on Wednesday, and a decision was agreed upon to come up with a “plan of action,” to bring a solution to the issues presented by the vendors.
Subsequent to the meeting, the decision was made to close the market on the dates mentioned.
Pratt said that the straw market is a “national symbol of The Bahamas and extremely important to our tourism product.”
She added that this is where many tourists get their first and lasting impressions of The Bahamas.
There were many mixed emotions from straw vendors on the decision. However, many felt that the cleaning and repairs are absolutely necessary, despite loosing two days of work.
It is reported, that this is the second thorough cleaning and repair the straw market has undergone, since its tragic September 4th fire in 2001.
Pratt also highlighted that excavation has begun on the market’s former site, for construction of the new state-of-the-art straw market.
By: VIRAJ PERPALL, The Nassau Guardian
