Lovell Calls For More People-Centered Policies to Address Beach Vendors’ Concerns

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United Progressive Party leader Harold Lovell has described the recent protest by vendors at Jolly Beach as “an unfortunate development as we enter the tourist season.”
Writing on his official Facebook page, Lovell said while the country desperately needs tourism development to create jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities, it must be done in consultation with all stakeholders.
He said if we say that tourism is everybody’s business, and the presentation of a comprehensive development plan, coupled with ongoing dialogue, should be a standard operating procedure.
Among questions being asked by the UPP leader are “how will these vendors be affected and accommodated.”
He also questions “why wasn’t the issue dealt with during the off season when most vendors close their businesses?”
“Why create hostility by locking out the vendors? Could this have been handled in a more effective way to avoid a major crisis?” Lovell asked.
He said, “for beach vendors, who already face intense competition, razor thin profit margins and seasonal economic activity, given their precarious existence, their stress is now being magnified by the uncertainty of their vending facilities.”
Lovell said, “If there is a relocation plan, it has not been clearly communicated to vendors and it is understandable how feelings of helplessness among these vendors has quickly turned to anger and resentment.”
“In Antigua and Barbuda, our beaches are embraced as community assets and for beach vendors who have established and invested in their businesses for several years, if the means of their livelihood is being forcibly disrupted or taken away, it just destabilizes every aspect of their lives,” he added.
Lovell said the Boobie Alley housing development is another instance where the government has failed to integrate the needs of the people.

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9 COMMENTS

  1. Harold Lovell smells Election around the corner so He is trying to be relevant. Harold NOBODY take You serious. You should resign as Leader of the UPP. You are grabbing at straws. FAITHFUL NATIONALS , UPP Let Us MARCH / PROTEST for the Vendors. You Guys are TIME WASTERS.

  2. on the move November 17, 2019 at 6:58 pm

    The Negative Comments usually come from the UPP and Their followers. Something just came to mind. Please take note of the following . The following is the UPP slate of Candidates to contest the next General Election. I hope Beef and Kentae of POINTE FM 99.1 will see this post and read it on Their program / show tomorrow evening.

    The following is the UPP Slate of Candidates to contest the next General Election 2023.

    HAROLD LOVELL
    RICHARD LEWIS
    SHAWN NICHOLAS
    JAMAL PRINGLE
    ALGERNON SERPENT WATTS
    CLEON ATHILL
    CHESTER HUGHES
    RICHARD BURTON
    DAMANI TABOR
    CHARLESWORTH TABOR
    PAUL QUINN
    DRIFTWOOD
    GLADYS POTTER
    D.GISEL ISAAC
    KEM STAR
    FRANZ DEFREITAS
    Anyone in Antigua will believe the above mentioned names can form a Government in Antigua ? Antiguans will never vote for these People . I believe the DNA will form a much better Opposition. Labour All the way.

    • I am going to disagree with you here… You only have (15) fifteen candidates so far … DRIFTWOOD will not be on the slate… LOL.

      • why not? Is it because he OPPOSED THE “FAITHFUL NATIONALS” PROTESTING IN THE PRESENCE OF TOURISTS??? OR because he was seen talking to Chet Greene and a certain radio host bashed him for that?

  3. The slate looks very good to me. A very diverse group of individuals who have already made a significant contribution to Antigua and Barbuda. If Namba and Winston Williams won their seats, so can these individuals. Good slate!!

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