Vendors welcome bathroom upgrade at St Ann’s Bay Market
VENDORS at the St Ann’s Bay Market have welcomed the recent renovation to the bathroom at the facility and have applauded Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie for keeping his promise to them.
During a tour of the market last September, McKenzie expressed disappointment at the state of the bathroom facility and declared that urgent work needed to be done.
McKenzie allocated $15 million for emergency repairs to sections of the market, including the bathroom.
During a recent tour of the facility vendors told the Jamaica Observer that they feel more comfortable and safe when taking bathroom breaks.
“I feel good about the renovations, right now I don’t have to worry about the place feeling dirty and insanitary. It’s a fresh look for the new year and in here look light and beautiful because it never look suitable before,” said a soup vendor who gave his name as Junior or Haat Daddy.
Junior, who has been frequenting the market for six years, said he appreciates the changes made to the facility.
“I can really feel the difference with the upgrade, it feels good to know that when I come in I have somewhere to wash my hands and not have to worry about water and stuff like that,” added Junior.
In the meantime Natania Smith, a food vendor, told the Observer that a proper sanitary convenience was needed, especially for female users of the market.
“I feel great about the bathroom, because before now the facility wasn’t clean [now] especially young women like myself can use the area and feel more comfortable and I’m happy that they see that it needed to be fix,” said Smith.
“In there is big, clean, nice and comfortable,” added Smith.
The bathroom facility has male and female sections with the male area painted in blue and female sections painted in purple.
It is fully equipped with shower stalls, toilets and hand wash stations.
But, while welcoming the improved facility, one vendor argued that it is unfair that they are charged to use the bathroom.
“We’re not suppose to pay to use it. Every time I go in there I pay $150 or $100 and that is not right because we pay our rent and if you’re paying rent for somewhere, it should come with a bathroom. If outsiders come they can charge them, but not we who use the market,” declared the vendor who asked not to be named.
— Akera Davis
