Tuesday 6th December 2011: Former Prime Minister and Political Leader of the New National Party, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith C. Mitchell has paid a visit to the Grenville Market Vendors on Saturday. Dr. Mitchell accompanied by the four New National Party Team Leaders for the St. Andrew Parish; Honorable Roland Bhola Parliamentary Representative of St. Andrew North East, Mrs. Delma Thomas, Team Leader of St. Andrew North West, Mrs. Yolande Bain Horsford Team Leader of St. Andrew South West and Mrs. Emmalin Pierre, Team Leader for St. Andrew South East.

The five toured the relocated Grenville Market listening to the concerns of the vendors while viewing first hand some of the damages they sustained at the facility. The vendors were very vocal in their displeasure with the conditions under which they have been forced to operate since being relocated to the temporary facility several months ago. Many spoke of losing most and in some instances all of their goods which had been secured at the facility when the flood waters saturated the Grenville area on Tuesday last.

The flood also caused serious damages to many other businesses and residences in the area. Many store owners complained that they have lost much of the stock they had on hand for the normally busy Christmas season.

Dr. Mitchell spoke of the visit as a means of touching base with vendors to have a better understanding of the problems they are faced with. He stated that the Grenville Market Project should have been completed by this time which would have ensured that the vendors would not have suffered this level of damages by not being at the present location. The Opposition Leader stated that the NNP understands the plight of the vendors and will do all that is possible to help.  He also stated that under a New National Party Government the work and livelihood of the vendors would be given top priority. This visit follows on the heels of a previous visit by the St. Andrew NNP Team Leaders to the Vendors Market.