the previous facility was some 20 years old and had deteriorated.

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PORT MOURANT, CORENTYNE – After several delays, the Port Mourant Market is said to be almost complete. This is according to the Chairman of Region Six Zulfikar Mustapha, who indicated last week that the finishing touches are being applied.A recent view of the Port Mourant MarketTwo weeks ago, a team comprising the Chairman of Basic Needs Trust Fund, Clive Roopchand; Project Manager, Michael Singh; Mustapha and other officials inspected the site. Some additional aspects were identified and are being dealt with now. This phase should be completed by the end of June, taking the total cost of the entire market project to some $99 million.Mustapha is to meet with the hucksters later this week to discuss several issues including what is to be expected under the new system. The hucksters are now to construct their own stalls and the Contractor, Mohammed Sattaur, is in the process of building models to aid them (hucksters). Taking up a stall in the new market is not automatic for the vendors; all must apply for a spot. To date the Region Six Administration received approximately 500 applications. The present design caters for 766 stalls, while the old one had 450. Under the new sectionalized market, only one location would be permitted per vendor.The Region is exploring the possibility of taking control of the facility. To this end, dialogue is being held with the Minister of Local Government. A separate staff is to be employed at the new market and an office has already been constructed. A Market Committee was established in February 2009 and this body would be expanded to involve other stakeholders. This, the Regional Chairman said, would help to deal with problems affecting vendors.The first $98 million contract was awarded to Hassan N. Pasha of Chateau Margot on the East Coast of Demerara early in 2009. Initial work began on February 15, 2009 and was expected to run for nine months – November 15. The initial job was for the construction of a modern market, approximately 15,000 square feet with appropriate sections. However, work was halted sometime in August 2009 after some financial problems and the contract went back to the Tender Board after consultation with representatives of the Caribbean Development Bank.Last year a new contractor, Mohammed Sattaur of Essequibo, signed an agreement with the Basic Needs Trust Fund to complete the venture. Under his guidance, work recommenced mid-December 2009.According to the Chairman, Mohammed Sattaur was expected to finish the $36 million project by the end of January 2010 but that did not happen. The new date of completion was then shifted to April 24th and this too did not materialize.The old Port Mourant Market could no longer cater for the amount of hucksters plying their trade, especially on Saturday, and many vended their ware on both sides of the Corentyne Highway in close vicinity of the facility. This has resulted in traffic congestion each Saturday. Upon completion of the new facility, no vending would be permitted along the shoulders of the roadway.According to Mustapha, the previous facility was some 20 years old and had deteriorated.