Malawi: Blantyre District Council has asked the vendors who are conducting their businesses along the road to relocate. They have been urged to move and occupy the space in the newly constructed Mpemba Market from Monday.
The vendors have been using the illegal space at Mpemba Trading Centre which needs to be emptied out. The occupation of thee illegal spaces has ben known to be a caus of accidents among the businessmen.
As such the district authorities strictly dissuade the takeover of spots along the roads in the district. The Blantyre District council authorities have been organizing sensitization awareness meetings for the businessmen.
During the reecent meeting at Mpemba Trading Centre, Blantyre District Council Trade Officer, Pilirani Nyangulu Mbwana said the decision to relocate would help prevent accidents that occur when vendors conduct business along the road.
“This market shed will therefore facilitate safe and easy trading among buyers and sellers,” Mbwana said.
This is set to ensure vendors sell their merchandise at designated places.
Chimenya also pledged to bring the business community together and urge them to use the marketplace structure. The members of the community have shared that
“Let us cooperate and go to the market shed as this is for the benefit of us all. The construction of the market place came after the demand was made among the business persons. Now that the council has done their part, it is the vendors duty to support the council and move to their place.
One of the vendors, Alinafe Somanje who also sold her merchandise on the road previously has announced that said she had already relocated. She said that now, she is doing her business in a safe and conducive environment during the rainy season.
Somanje has also urged fellow vendors to support the council by moving to the the new market The market will be at its full importance when the vendors relocate as customers go to where the products are.
The market shed has been constructed using the council’s locally generated revenue to the tune of K43 million. It is expected to accommodate at least 60 business people from Mpemba Trading Centre and surrounding areas.