Gulu Main Market vendors want renovations fast-tracked

GULU-Vendors under the umbrella of Gulu Main Market Vendors Association are demanding the fast-tracking of the remaining construction works and general renovations of the multi-billion shilling facility.

In 2021, government announced plans to renovate the Shs 18.45 billion market which hosts over 1,200 vendors following a protest by the vendors in March 2020. However, to date, no visible renovation works have commenced.

Patrick Omaya, the Chairperson of the market vendors’ association identified some of the underlying challenges as unstable electricity, poor lighting, inadequate water, and poor accessibility on the western and northern sides of the market commissioned in 2015.

Omaya said they have no clear information on when the obstacles will be worked on so that vendors operate smoothly in the market that has 400 lockup shops accommodating hundreds of vendors.

While meeting Victoria Rusoke Busingye, the Minister of State for Local Government last Friday, the vendors demanded that the long-awaited renovations start.

Among other things vendors want to be worked include, construction of an environmentally friendly kitchen, renovation of the cold room for fresh fish dealers, installation of solar panels for alternative electricity source, and closed-circuit cameras for security purposes.

Currently, women who vend food cook on the verandahs of the market`s western side, causing a potential risk of fire outbreak, with several stalls and units on the northern side of the market closed due to poor access after the contractor abandoned the construction of the staircase.

Alfred Okwonga, the Gulu City mayor said they have trailed and failed to get hold of the contractor who constructed the market, to complete the installation of the staircase.

According to Okwonga, the delay in the renovation of the facility is risking the lives of vendors and clients who go to trade at the market.

Meanwhile, the Holy Rosary Parish Church is willing to trade part of its land to allow the creation of an access road on the western side of the market.

And minister Busingye has tasked Gulu City Council to approach Gulu Archdiocese and see how this can be done.

Busingye, who was visiting and assessing the status of the market said the government will hunt for the contractor who abandoned the installation of the staircase to have him finish his job.

She said that other government ministries including ministries of trade, works, and finance will carry out assessments in order for renovation works to start.

According to Busingye, renovation and inclusion of other facilities are necessary. The market like many others across major cities and town was constructed under the Market Agricultural Trade Implementation Project [MATIP].

The government of Uganda with support from African Development Bank [AfDB] and Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa [BADEA]is still constructing modern urban markets in selected urban councils across the country.

According to the Ministry of Local Government, markets play an important role in the economy by linking producers of agricultural products and indeed other Goods and Services to the consumers.

The ministry notes that most markets in urban areas around the country were built way back in the 1940s and 50s were in an appalling State, often characterized by poor sanitation and drainage systems old and inadequate infrastructure against the needs of ever increasing number of vendors.

https://thecooperator.news/mbarara-market-vendors-petition-authorities-over-rental-fees/

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