Govt to improve market structures

Govt to improve market structures

Choma, Feb 5, 2014, ZANIS…Southern province deputy permanent secretary Douglas Ng’imbu says Government is committed to developing market facilities in the country.

Mr Ng’imbu said government would continue to fund developmental projects such as rehabilitation of market structures to provide favorable trading places.

 Speaking during a tour of Shampande Market in Choma today, Mr Ng’imbu said Government was concerned with the state of the market and would ensure that rehabilitation works resume soon.

“Infrastructure development is among the priority projects of the PF government, and markets are very important in social and economic development.  It is for this reason that my office will work closely with Choma Municipal council to rehabilitate Shampande market”, he said

Mr Ng’imbu said Government recognizes the cardinal role of good market structures in poverty alleviation and assured the traders that it would work closely with the local authority to ensure that the market is rehabilitated to good standards.

Meanwhile, Choma District Commissioner Bernadette Hamweemba has given a 30 day ultimatum to some shop owners in Shampande market who have not operated in their shops for over five years to resume operations or risk losing them.

Ms Hamweeba was disappointed that people were keeping shops idle at the expense other traders who could utilize them to sell their merchandize.

And speaking on behalf of the traders Reymond Indala thanked Government for stepping in to address the challenges the traders were experiencing.

Mr Indala said the Market had for a long time been abandoned by traders due to poor infrastructure and welcomed Government decision to rehabilitate it.

He said some vendors trading on the streets of Choma township along Macha road were willing to occupy Shampande market once it is renovated.