Agricultural Market in Ozurgeti Will Be Replaced by A Square with Fountain

Shorena Ghlonti, Guria

Local authority started to throw gravel on the territory of agricultural market in Ozurgeti at 5:00 am on January 8. It was time when market was empty and local officials were free to do their job. When traders arrived at the market in the morning, they found the area full of gravel.

Traders protested the decision of the district administration to close the market in 2009. Their protest reached culmination on December 10, the international day of human rights when about 200 traders of the agricultural market blocked the railway road in Ozurgeti railway station. Ozurgeti-Tbilisi train was delayed for three hours because of the protest. The police detained several participants of the rally (the Human Rights Center published an article about this incident: http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=article&id=4460&lang=en)

Despite serious protest, Ozurgeti district administration did what they wanted.

“Fascists did not act like that. How shall I get to my entity? There are so huge holes on Griboedov Street that I will need a boat to sail to my house. They should have filled those holes first. Apparently, they have found time only for us and they are throwing rubbish and dirt on the place,” Merab Antadze, owner of the private entity on the market territory, cannot help his astonishment.

“Besides traders there are private owners here. What should they do in this pollution? They do not allow people to trade even in the street. I cannot understand what they have brought here. It is neither sand nor gravel – it is rubbish,” said trader Boris Kiladze.

“How could a Christian person do such thing on Christmas Eve?” Nona Kvergelidze is surprised.

“The government decides our fate – they will destroy our life or make it perfect; or they can also send us to prison,” said Mzia Khintibidze, grandmother of disabled children.

Traders protest activities of the Ozurgeti district administration and think that local officials left them without income instead creating new working places for them.

“So many counters are thrown away! Everything is destroyed! It must be finished. What shall I do with my grandchildren? How shall I feed them? This government is eager to destroy everything instead employing us,” complained Zaur Shakarishvili.

Ozurgeti district governor Avtandil Mekvabishvili said they are cleaning the area of the agricultural market and will make it more beautiful. According to him a square will be made in the area.

Apparently, the reason to leave about 200 traders without employment was square and fountain in it. It increased the doubt of local people that the local authority tries to show off before the first lady who had said during her visit in Ozurgeti that market should not be situated there.

Although mounds of gravel are in the area of former market, traders still continue to trade and they still have customers.