WILLEMSTAD – MFK Member of Parliament Sandy Losiabaar is raising concerns about the safety and financial position of Marshe Nobo vendors temporarily operating at Plasa Papa Godett, questioning whether the government should provide additional security measures or financial support while renovation of their permanent market remains delayed.
The vendors were moved to Plasa Papa Godett in Punda to allow renovation work to proceed at Marshe Nobo. According to Losiabaar, the longer-than-expected renovation means merchants have now been operating under temporary conditions for an extended period.
In parliamentary questions submitted to Economic Development Minister Roderick Middelhof, Losiabaar specifically highlights the risks associated with handling cash in an open public area.
She wants the minister to say whether the government recognizes that merchants accepting and storing cash in such an environment could face increased security risks and, if so, what measures have been implemented to protect them.
The parliamentarian is also concerned about the physical working conditions at the temporary location. Vendors are exposed to the sun, rain, wind and dust while conducting business at Plasa Papa Godett.
Losiabaar is asking what concrete steps have already been taken or are planned to improve those conditions until the merchants can return to Marshe Nobo.
The MFK parliamentarian also wants to know whether the government has considered compensation or another form of financial assistance for vendors who may have suffered losses during the relocation and renovation period.
Her questions do not state how much money merchants may have lost or establish that losses were directly caused by the relocation. Instead, Losiabaar is asking the government to determine whether affected vendors require assistance.
The issue has become more pressing because the renovation of Marshe Nobo is taking longer than originally expected. Losiabaar is therefore seeking a firm indication from Middelhof of when merchants can expect to return.
She is also asking the minister to guarantee that the completed facility will address the practical needs of the vendors rather than simply completing the physical renovation.
The questions were submitted under Article 96A of the Rules of Procedure of the Curaçao Parliament and require the government to provide answers regarding the renovation, temporary conditions, security and possible economic consequences for the vendors.