Nearly two years after the government introduced a campaign geared towards collecting outstanding lease payments from Potter's Cay Dock vendors, Agriculture Minister V. Alfred Gray yesterday revealed that they still owe nearly 200,000 collectively.
Last year Gray threatened to shut down the businesses of vendors who were not making lease payments.
Following an audit conducted in 2012, it was revealed that the vendors collectively owed just over $587,000, with some owing the government as much as $50,000.
Gray said while he is pleased with the progress of most vendors, there are still some who refuse to pay.
"There are people who have not been able to pay and who have made arrangements with us to pay by an agreement," he said. "In the main people are paying. Those who have not been keeping their agreements, I expect that they would have been spoken to by my managers.
"My position is very firm, everyone has to pay."
Gray said the outstanding balance is around $180,000.
When the matter first arose, it was agreed that vendors would pay $100 a month on their arrears, while keeping their leases current.
As it relates to the upkeep of Potter's Cay Dock, Gray said the government has decided to assist vendors in bringing their stalls up to standard.
The overall look of Potter's Cay Dock has been a source of frustration of Gray.
"The government took the position that because we want improved market sites we would assist vendors wherever possible in making sure that they bring their stalls up to standard so that there is uniformity," he said.
Last year, several vendors' applications for the renewal of their business licenses were rejected because their stalls fell into a state of disrepair.
Gray said once the government assists the vendors with minor renovations, it expects them to keep their stalls up to the requisite standard.
Gray explained that the government is assisting with maintenance work, including the painting of stalls and supplying building materials for those stalls that require repairs.
"We've been helping the people, particularly at Potter's Cay Dock," he said. "We found that Arawak Cay vendors need less help."
Additionally, Gray said he is developing a committee that will present a proposal for extensive renovations of Potter's Cay Dock.
"We want to give it a face lift," he added.
Gray said he wants the proposal to be complete by the end of the upcoming fiscal year and hopes that work can begin soon after.

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