The Mauritius government has postponed a decision on the organization of night markets in Port-Louis during the festive season. A committee, led by Local Collectives Minister Ranjiv Woochit, will examine the matter with concerned parties and make recommendations based on last year's experience. This move comes after some stakeholders expressed concerns about the impact of night markets on established businesses.
The decision to set up a committee was announced by the Council of Ministers on Friday, contradicting earlier statements by Labour Party MP Ehsan Juman, who had communicated dates for the night markets in the capital. Juman had suggested that preparations were already underway, but the government has now taken a more cautious approach. The MP has expressed support for the initiative, but acknowledges the need to address concerns from traders.
Ehsan Juman said discussions are ongoing to allow traders on Desforges Street to benefit from the activity generated by the night markets. He mentioned that a meeting, chaired by Port-Louis Lord Mayor Christelle Pondard, took place a month ago to prepare for the night markets. The recommendations from these discussions will be examined by the inter-ministerial committee.
The government's cautious approach is in line with opposition from established traders on Desforges Street, who have written to the Prime Minister expressing concerns about the proposed dates. They argue that the night markets will negatively impact their sales during the critical Christmas period and cite problems with parking, sanitation, and security.
In their letter, dated October 19, the traders also mention that previous night markets have diverted customers from established businesses and obstructed store entrances. They call for the cancellation or relocation of the proposed night market and request a written response before any final decision.
The traders' concerns are based on past experiences, where they claim that temporary vendors selling similar goods drew customers away from their stores. They also highlight the risks associated with the use of cooking gas without proper supervision and fire precautions.
The inter-ministerial committee's recommendations will take into account last year's experience and the concerns expressed by various stakeholders. The government has assured that no decision has been made regarding the organization of night markets during the festive season.
Key points
- The Mauritius government has set up an inter-ministerial committee to examine the organization of night markets in Port-Louis during the festive season.
- The committee will make recommendations based on last year's experience and concerns from stakeholders.
- Established traders on Desforges Street have expressed opposition to the proposed night markets, citing concerns about sales, parking, and safety.
