Vendors Fight Agricultural Officials on Stall Issues

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Arawak Cay vendors and Ministry of Agriculture officials in a standoff Friday afternoon, as agriculture officials attempted to change the locks on one of the stalls.

That matter, according to the Arawak Cay Association president, is one that has been ongoing for years.

The doors to Casa Del Mar remain locked and closed for business, after an initial court ruling just days ago, and now, interference from Ministry of Agriculture officials.

Dianne Burrows says she leases the land from the Leasing Authority, but she built the building herself back in 1999. She recently had someone serve as property manager who then rented her building out.

Floyd Watkins, attorney for the Arawak Cay Association and Dianne Burrows, is adamant the ministry is not following the proper legal channels.

Rodney Russell, President of the Arawak Cay Association, says the issue is bigger than this one stall. He says for decades, he’s been unable to come to a resolution from successive governments and agriculture ministers.

Russell says he believes the ministry has underlying motives.

Officials from the ministry of agriculture arrived at the property shortly after 2pm.

Association members standing in solidarity with Burrows, refusing to let them change the locks.

That’s when police officers stepped in to mediate the situation, making officials aware that it is a civil situation and they could not step in to assist. However, both parties decided to speak privately at the Arawak Cay Police Station.

Burrows, her attorney and the association president say they simply want the ministry to come to the table.

Agriculture officials refused to give our news team a comment.