The Local Government and Regional Development Ministry has uncovered a series of concerns involving vendors operating along Woolford Avenue, including reports of inappropriate interactions with students, the sale of vapes and alcohol to minors, following consultations with more than 10 learning institutions.
This was revealed by Local Government and Regional Development Minister Priya Manickchand in a social media post, where she expressed concern over the situation surrounding vending along Woolford Avenue.
According to Manickchand, she met with vendors who previously operated along the street, some of whom were seriously impeding traffic flow and access to the more than 10 learning institutions on the Avenue.
She said the meeting was part of a continuing engagement, noting that previous meetings were held with school administrations, teaching staff, boards where applicable, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) and vendors.
Manickchand said some of the issues uncovered during the engagements were particularly unsettling.
“We learnt some unsettling things, including that some vendors were inappropriately speaking to and touching students, that illicit items like vapes and alcohol were being sold to minors, and that abusive behaviour was directed towards school staff when rules, such as no selling during instructional hours, were being enforced.”
Adding to the concerns, Manickchand said the engagements also revealed that some vendors had positively contributed to the school community.
“We also learnt that some vendors added beautifully to the school community. They would help children cross the road, give credit to parents for snacks, wait until kids were picked up before they left for the day, sell cheaper than the canteen and otherwise meet a need that was not being met.”
Manickchand also expressed concern after learning that some electricity meter connections used by the vendors had been sanctioned through official letters from the City Council. She called for the issuance of such letters to be stopped immediately.
“In the end, some schools chose the vendors who were in the immediate past co-operative and had behaved in a manner that they believed they could be accommodated into the school compound, with a view to serving the best interest of the children. The others were invited to remove their caravans and carts, etc. There will be no vending on Woolford Avenue.”
Earlier in September, Guyana Times reported that Local Government and Regional Development Minister Priya Manickchand had met with head teachers, school board chairpersons and heads of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) as consultations continued on the future of vending along Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.

The meeting, which was also attended by Permanent Secretary Miguel Choo-Kang and senior Ministry of Education officials led by Principal Education Officer Immanuel Bridgewater, followed a previous engagement between the Minister and vendors operating along the corridor.
The consultations were aimed at developing an arrangement that would balance the interests of roadside vendors, school canteens, students and parents following infrastructure upgrades along Woolford Avenue.
During the meetings, school administrators and canteen operators were given an opportunity to raise their concerns and provide recommendations before any final arrangements were made.
The discussions also highlighted concerns from school officials about some roadside vending operations, including reports of unlawful and disrespectful behaviour which they said could negatively affect children.
Manickchand said these concerns, along with issues previously raised by vendors, would be considered as the Government worked towards a new system for vending along the upgraded corridor.
She stressed that any new arrangement must be structured, with clear standards governing the operation of vendors, particularly because of their proximity to schools and children.
The issue of vending along Woolford Avenue arose following the first phase of infrastructure upgrades, which included an expanded roadway and improved drainage. Vendors who were removed during the works had raised concerns about the impact on their livelihoods.