Opposition Leader calls for Vendor Concessions ahead of busy Tourist season

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, December 7, 2021 – The Opposition has accused the government of being ‘excessively dispassionate’ toward certain TCI islanders with the passing of the new Beach and Coastal Vending bill. The accusation came from the leader of PDM Edwin Astwood who said he was disheartened about the ‘lack of empathy’.

Astwood was referring to clauses in the bill that require vendors to hold a vending license in order to sell on various beaches.

He said “I saw the Elected Government being excessively dispassionate to the plight of persons who may not be able to be in full compliance to all the many requirements, fees, and permits at this time.”

He said though the intent of the bill was admirable it was now poised to do more harm than good to TCI islanders.

Astwood expressed confusion about what he described as ‘excitement’ surrounding the bill, claiming that it had the potential to create greater inequalities among TCI islanders.

He called for the government to give concessions to the islanders in light of the short window of time available to them before the winter tourist season begins. He expressed concern about how many vendors would truly be able to be in full compliance in time.

With the DECR now calling for all vendors to renew their applications in earnest, it is unclear what will become of unregistered vendors with the first ship delayed, but still set to arrive within days.