The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources notes the concerns raised by vendors and stall holders at the Potters Cay Dock today following a tour by members of Her Majesty’s Official Opposition and wishes to repond to three key points as raised by the media.

1. Public Private Partnership (PPP) – Vendors claim that the proposed Public Private Partnership (PPP), offers an opportunity for government to push them out and “cherry pick who it wants there.”

The Ministry has met with the vendors and their associations on a number of occasions to discuss the development plans for Potters Cay. In one of those meetings, the associations were encouraged to consider forming themselves into an entity that could also submit a proposal to government as a partner. In any case, the criteria for participation at Potters Cay under a Public Private Partnership has yet to be determined, although there is the strong likelihood that preference will be given to vendors who have a well-established tenure at Potters Cay and are financially current.

2. Parking & “Police Harassment” – Vendors complained that the policy of not allowing patrons to park in the loading zones and police ushering people from those spots has been bad for business following the double homicide two months ago. They also claim that some stalls are hardly opened while others have had to lay off staff.  

Vendor participation is critical to the consultative process as it relates to the proposed project to revitalize Potters Cay. That is why the Ministry has taken purposeful steps to restore order to that area. Loading Zones are designated for the specific purpose of offloading supplies and services and were never intended to be utilized as parking spaces. This is not unique to Potters Cay. The Police have long expressed concerns that parking in front of the stalls poses grave safety and security challenges. The misuse of the loading zones prohibits access of delivery vehicles and impedes the regular flow of traffic. The foregoing concerns were communicated to vendors earlier this year. Further, the parking lots east and west of the bridge have been equipped with lights and are routinely patrolled by the police. The Ministry recognizes small business and entrepreneurship are keys to a stable economy and has been working on a number of plans to spark renewed public confidence in Potters Cay and will work with the vendors in support of such efforts.  Vendors have been encouraged to make repairs to and maintain their properties. The Ministry has also been working with BPL and the Port Department to bring resolution to the issue of power supply on the dock and other improvements.

3. Suspension of Lease Fees – Vendors recommended the suspension of lease fees until their “business picks up”.

We continue to encourage vendors to pay the very modest fee of less than $50 per month to assist with the proper maintenance of Potters Cay. This will create an environment that will ultimately grow their businesses.