By Sylvester Kumwenda

Dowa, May 15, Mana: Small scale business entrepreneurs at Bowe in Traditional Authority (TA) Chakhaza in Dowa have said the construction of Bowe market shed by Dowa district Council under the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) has improved businesses at the market and their livelihoods.

A Tomato business lady from Kachenga Village, Judith Banda said initially, they used to sell from grass thatched makeshift structures which was a challenge.

“Hygiene was a problem. There were risks of fires because of the grass. When it rained, we used to halt our businesses and run for shelter. This heavily affected our income because if you made little or no sales meant you would not have food.

“But the with this shed, we can sell the whole day without any disturbances which is good for business and in sustaining our daily livelihoods,” she said.

A Fish Seller from Mwalala Village, Joseph Cosmas said his sales have improved.

He said he used to make less than K20,000 a day but since moving into the shed which has been constructed to a tune of K 35 million, he makes around K30,000 and on a good day he can hit K40,000.

“This has helped me as I can now provide for my family with livelihood needs like sugar, soap, and clothes,” Cosmas said.

The Shed which was constructed alongside a VIP toilet contains lockers which he said provide both safety and storage space for their goods.

“Fish are easily perishable goods and rot easily once drenched in water. This made us lose especially during rainy seasons. But I can now safely keep the fish in lockers, and we no longer carry our goods to and from home on daily basis,” he said.

Chairperson of Bowe Market, Kondwani Wasitino thanked GESD project which is being implemented by the National Local Government Finance Committee in councils with funding from the World Bank.

He said as a market committee, they are enforcing ticket sales amongst traders which he said was contributing to the council’s income generation activities.

Under GESD, Councils are funded for developmental activities based on their Local Assembly Performance Assessment.