Summary
· Everything possible should be done to ensure that the facilities are effectively put to use to justify the billions of shillings invested in their construction
Reports that modern markets around
Dar es Salaam have turned into white elephants are disheartening. A survey by
MCL shows that the facilities, built using billions of shillings of tax payer
money, are either half empty or totally deserted by traders.
The modern markets that are
operating way below capacity and which were surveyed and a special report
published on February 11, 2023 by Mwananchi include Kijichi Business Complex
and Mbagala Kuu’s Simbwe Street Market in Temeke District.
Others are Bwawani Market in
Kinondoni District, Bombom Market and Machinga Complex in Ilala District.
Traders and entrepreneurs who were allocated stalls in the markets
say they left because of lack of customers. They also mentioned other factors
as inadequate electricity billing system, exorbitant rental fees and remoteness
of the facilities.
The situation in Shimbwe Street Market, which has been closed
down, is the most interesting. Traders who vacated the complex have moved to a
nearby privately-owned plot along the Ng’ombe Road, where they are now plying
their trade in run down conditions.
But what is unfortunate about the whole affair is the failure by
city authorities to learn from past mistakes. A decade ago the first modern
market, Machinga Complex, was opened with fanfare.
It was built to accommodate more than 10,000 hawkers who had been
scattered all around the Kariakoo Business District.
These refused to move into the facility, and the few who did,
eventually left. To date the complex is only partially used.
And city authorities proceeded to build other complexes repeating
the main mistake of the Machinga Complex, which was lack of involvement of the
traders from the design aspect of the project.
City authorities should understand that there is no way that the
markets will remain white elephants forever.
Everything possible should be done to ensure that the facilities
are effectively put to use to justify the billions of shillings invested in
their construction
No comments :
Post a Comment