In the aftermath of the Berbice sea defence overtopping, vendors of the New Amsterdam Market and residents of Stanleytown are still counting their losses as they clean up the mess in their immediate environs.Many have already cleaned up the mess and residue dumped in the market, and though they are uncertain of the extent of their losses, they are contending it is in no way small.
Electrical appliances vendor, Abdool Rasheid Hack said his bond was inundated with about eight inches of filthy water that damaged millions of dollars worth in appliances . He explained that he is unable to assess the damages, but is certain that it would be severe. According to Hack, who has been vending in the market for well over 20 years, the extent of the flooding was never experienced before.
“All my washer to gas cooker to fridge, flat screen TV – all was wet… all left on the tiled floor, the floor was about in five to six inches of water… a had to take them out one by one, get clean water and wash out the mud from the bottom, and try to blow dry them out.”
One of the vendors displaying his damaged appliances.
Faraz Hussein, a foot wear and cloths vendor has put his losses at over $500,000. He related that many foot wear and clothing were heaped and thrown out after he found them floating in the filthy black salt water.
“I have three stands in this market and all three water end up in, so you get damage in all of them… you had like about eight inches of water in the stalls… I carry home some and see what may be good… the clothes run up on one and other… boots loose up because of salt water.”. Hussein expressed dismay that the New Amsterdam Constabulary was not more alert to observe the situation in the market and alert the vendors who could have saved more items.
Another vendor Jacqueline Rose related that she had several flat screen televisions, printers electric grill, blenders, footwear and many piles of clothing in her stall, but found them floating when she arrived Thursday morning.
“Some of them we had to dump… some of them we can’t really use them back or get it repairs and bring them back in and sell them at cheaper price… one of the flat screens alone was $100,000 and we had three… the loss is gonna be over half a million… but I can’t come up with a tally right now.” She is hopeful that the Town Council would fumigate the market regularly to prevent the germination of bacteria and other health hazards.
Another affected vendor Rafeek (only name given) said her stall and two bonds were flooded, and many bags of rice, flour, sugar and other food items were destroyed.
“Plenty… we throw away over 15 bags rice alone… its na no little loss… its plenty loss we get… dem tin thing not good because the salt water start rusting them.” Like other vendors, Rafeek related that the extent of the flood was never experienced before.
Ground provisions, greens and fruit stalls vendors reported very little damaged while the fisheries department was not affected as that section of the market is high. The damages occurred mainly in the clothing, footwear and electrical appliances sections of the facility.
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