By Martin Chiwanda and Charlie Ligomeka

Machinga, August 14:  Ward Councilor for Nkoola Ward, Margret Uladi and traders at Kwilasya market at Traditional Authority Nkoola have hailed Machinga District Council for deciding to construct a new market shelter which will cost MK42, 600, 000 through District Development Fund (DDF).

On Tuesday, Machinga District Council handed over a contractor, Ganizani Likhomo Building Contractors and Civil Engineering to the project site at Kwilasya market to start construction of the market shelter.

Uladi said was delighted with construction of the market shelter and expressed hope that the structure will provide good business environment for traders.

“I am happy with this project. I am sure this will really motivate people in this area to do more business in the market,” she said.

The Nkoola Ward Councilor added that the market shelter has come at a right time as an answer to complaints among traders that have been complaining of poor trade environment at Kwilasya market.

“Most of the people here have not been doing business though they wished to do it.  This has been the case because the market has not been a better place for business. Construction of the new market shelter has come at a right time and is an answer to the challenges they have been facing,” said Uladi.

One of the traders at the market, Joyce Salani said was delighted with the market shelter construction, saying the structure will help traders to do business in a more conducive environment.

She added that a new market shelter was ideal considering that traders have been doing business in the open, in the scorching sun, windy conditions and sometimes business being disturbed by rains, adding that this becomes unhygienic thereby creating unconducive business environment.

“I am very happy with plans to construct a market shelter. We will be able to sale our commodities under a shelter that will protect us from bad weather conditions which has been our biggest problem,” Salani added.  

Group Village head Kwilasya also commended Machinga District Council for deciding to embark on the market project and he pledged to put necessary measures that will ensure successful completion of the project.

“We have been struggling to do business due to poor conditions of the market. We have been given an opportunity to have a market shelter; we will make sure that project equipment is protected during the construction period. We will provide full assistance (if needed) to help our contractor to finish his work in time,” said Group Village head Kwilasya.

Machinga Council’s Environmental District Officer, Andrew Kaitano Hamza called on local leaders and their subjects to collaborate with the contractor to ensure success and timely completion of the project.

Hamza observed that land disputes were some of the issues that affect implementation of development projects.

He therefore expressed hope that chiefs will ensure all issues to do with land are dealt with to ensure dispute-free implementation of the market project.

He encouraged traders in the area to do business under the market shelter once completed, observing that some traders in some parts of the district shun doing business under such market structures at the expense of council’s revenue mobilization.     

The contractor is expected to build the market shelter within 90 days.