Arua Central Market authorities allocating stalls to vendors
ARUA – Market authorities of Arua Central Market have started allocating stalls and other business facilities to vendors.
Dott Services Ltd and Joadah Consults built the multibillion market at the tune of Shs34.9 billion.
The modern market will host 5,012 vendors in its lock ups, stalls, banking mall, pharmacy among others. Also the market has other supporting facilities like electricity, water, television sets, cameras and various offices.
Sam Adriko, the Head of Finance Arua City who also doubles as the Market Master and in charge of administration and resettlement of the market vendors in the new market says, they have so far registered more than 4,000 vendors.
Registration and allocation of stalls and lockups are ongoing until it has officially been launched and opened for use.
He further said, the registered vendors include; those who deal in produce, dry fish, meat, second hand clothes, general merchandise among others.
According to Adriko, upon opening for use, the market will reorganize the city especially with the numerous mini markets that have been opened within and in the outskirts of the city.
“We hope that upon official opening of the market, the city authorities will move to regulate the opening and operation of other smaller markets so that customers are allowed to transact majorly in the central market,” said Adriko.
“I want to challenge the fish traders to join the rest of the vendors in the market so that there is uniformity, adding that soon the market at OPM shall be demolished. I also call on the hawkers and vendors along the roads to immediately shift to the new market to avoid inconveniences that may arise from impounding their goods,” Adriko said.
Adomati Dickson, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner (DRCC) Arua City says, the government has done its part. And now, it’s up to the vendors to utilize the market to transform their lives.
Adomati says, whereas complaints in stall allocation have already started trickling in, he advises the aggrieved persons to use peaceful methods in resolving their differences.
“We know that during allocation of facilities for vendors at the new multi billion market, complaints and concerns will arise, I want to appeal to the aggrieved people to always approach our offices and use peaceful methods to resolve their differences. We don’t want to see people fighting over spaces. It’s us to grow and fight poverty from our households,” Adomati said.
Adomati also warned city authorities against allocating stalls for themselves, and mismanaging revenues that will be collected from the market.
The Arua Central Market is expected to be officially commissioned by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. A date is yet to be announced.
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