GPHC to move to Court if City Council fails to remove vendors within seven days

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), has dispatched a letter to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC), threatening legal action if vendors are not removed from the hospital’s vicinity within the next seven days.

This move follows several High Court rulings, which instructed the City Council to remove vendors from the entrances and outskirts of a number of city businesses.

“We are instructed to demand, as we hereby do, that you take steps to remove all vendors from the vicinity of our client’s premises within seven (7) days hereof,” GPHC said in a letter through its attorney, Sase Gunraj.

The letter added that the hospital is ready to institute legal proceedings if the Council fails to comply with the demand letter.

“On several occasions hitherto, our client has brought this to your attention, and to date, you have taken no tangible steps to remove the said encumbrances,” the letter further stated.

Several vendors have been plying their trade in the vicinity of the hospital, which is the country’s leading referral institution.

In December 2022, the Ministry of Public Works issued notices to vendors occupying spaces along New Market Street between Thomas and East Streets.

The notices were followed by removal, which was met with strong protests by vendors, including then-Mayor Ubraj Narine. The vendors were removed but returned to the location days later.