Christmas came early yesterday for 45 vendors who operate at the old Salvatori Building site, Port-of-Spain, when Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal granted them a three-month extension.But Moonilal warned that by next January 2, , the vendors must pack their bags and leave the site which is also used as a carpark.He met with three of the vendors at his South Quay, Port-of-Spain, office for several hours yesterday to discuss the best way forward.
Also present was Urban Development Corporation of T&T (Udecott) chairman and mana�ging director of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Jearlean John.After the discussion, Moonilal told the media he was fully aware that Christmas was around the corner and it was a crucial time for the vendors. He said the authorities would use the time to get the necessary documents and clearances for the work to be done at the site and to find a suitable place to relocate the vendors.
Saying the property belongs to Udecott, Moonilal said: "That site is a site we have identified as a significant infrastructure development in Port-of-Spain."We intend to construct an energy tower, a central focal point for the energy agencies in T&T, both public and private, also to be tied in to some kind of commercial space in downtown Port-of-Spain as well."
He said that was part of the wider plan for the redevelopment for the city and because of that, Udecott was not ready to take immediate possession of the site.He said Government had no intention of "throwing out any one," especially those who worked hard."We want to encourage them to work harder and not punish them for that. Notwithstanding that compassion, when the time comes we need to get that site... come what may, we will have to move on the site.
"January 2 is the outer boundary of which we will not be entertaining any more extension," he said.Afterwards, vendor Steve "Blackhat" Fletcher, who was part of the talks, dropped to his knees outside the HDC building, raised his hands and thanked Allah.He then walked briskly to the site and shouted: "Tell everybody to unpack and make some money. We get an extension."
The vendors had protested their relocation outside Parliament at the International Waterfront Centre, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, during the debate in the Senate on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2014, and over the weekend. Sunday was to have been their last day on the site.