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Uncertainty surrounds Zaone Market’s sale in Luanshya District
Luanshya, August 11, 2014, ZANIS —-TRADERS at Zaone Market in Luanshya District are reportedly in panic following unconfirmed reports of the planned the sale of Zaone market by the council to an unnamed investor.
During a recent full council meeting, the council announced the proposed sale of Zaone market to an investor, a situation that has evoked mixed feelings among Luanshya residents and traders at the market.
A concerned trader, Emmanuel Chansa told ZANIS in an interview in Luanshya today that his colleagues were panicking as there has been no notification given to them on the sale of the market.
Mr. Chansa however said the traders were surprised to notice the investor who the named as Emmanuel Caldis, a proprietor of Antelope Milling Company Limited, frequently inspecting the market in the company of council officials.
He said it was shocking that the market which just recently received a face lift and was waiting commissioning once the construction of the ablution block was completed was being sold and earmarked for demolition.
Another trader Anna Mukuka who vowed not to move to the alternative place said she had only heard that traders would be relocated to another site where a modern market would be constructed.
Ms. Mukuka complained that business would slow down once the traders are relocated saying the market was strategically located as it was in the central business area and near a bus top.
And a Luanshya resident Martha Chunga noted that it was a shame that the council was considering to sale the property shortly after their lobbied the mines to renovate the market which was in a deplorable state.
Meanwhile, Charles Manyando said the move was welcome as it would create employment, diversify trade opportunities for the people of Luanshya as well as add beauty to the district.
Recently , during a full council meeting the council carried in its minutes, the sale of Zaone market to Mr. Caldis is said to have presented a proposal of the construction of a shopping mall at the premises.
The proposal also included the construction of a modern market at an alternative site to accommodate the traders who where currently operating from Zaone market.
But Luanshya central Member of Parliament Steven Chungu who welcomed the idea of the construction of a shopping mall observed that it was important to consult extensively and engage all stakeholders in the matter before a decision was made.
The matter which was turned down by the majority was suspended to be discussed in the next full council meeting next month.
Luanshya district has 28 councilors drawn from the two constituencies, Roan and Luanshya central with 26 belonging to the Patriotic Front, 1 to the Movement for Multiparty Democracy with another independent councilor.
