Street vendors disrupt the capital’s scene [Archives:2008/1205/Reportage]

By: Saddam al-Ashmori
For the Yemen Times
Streets vendors and hawkers not only cause mayhem on the streets, but also give the city of Sana'a an uncivilized image of untidiness, particularly in its old quarters. Although the government has established new markets for them in the old city and banned them from selling goods in the street, ambulant traders continue to sell their wares at the capital's intersections and traffic lights.

A member of a local council in Sana'a who requested anonymity said that the reason behind the return of street vendors and hawkers on the pavements of the city is that staff from the Public Works Office rent out pavement sections to them for YR1,000 a day.

“This hinders traffic