By Theresa Kef Sesay
A week-long consultative engagement with key beneficiaries for the construction of ultra-modern markets for trading in Bombali, Kenema and Bo Districts respectively has been commenced by the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development at the Kenema District Council Hall on the 5th July 2021.
This medium learnt that the markets would cater for critical amenities such as water and sanitation facilities, storage facilities, parking spaces for vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles, a police post, offices for the Driver’s Union, Trader’s Union and the Road Safety Authority within the structure to ensure its full use by the targeted beneficiaries.
Chairman of the Kenema District Council, Mohamed O’Level Sesay, in his opening remarks, expressed his appreciation to the New Direction Government for the initiative; noting that the process of engaging the people during the initial stages of the project was a step in the right direction.
He said the implementation of the project would address street trading, which has over the years increased rapidly in most towns and cities in the country, particularly Kenema District.
Paramount Chief Mohamed Dhaffie Benya V, in his statement, said the project is a timely opportunity for the Kenema people to benefit from, especially the traders. He said, as Chiefs, they would ensure a suitable location for the construction of the market would be provided as soon as possible.
The Traders Union Secretary, Alpha Lamin, expressed his delight at the construction of the market, saying that the project is a demonstration of the Government’s efforts to improving the welfare of its citizens, particularly the traders. He called on the authorities to also identify the demarcation of the categories of items sold in the market for ease of use.
Alpha Bangura, Director of Public Investment Management Directorate (MoPED), in his presentation, noted that the proposed market would be constructed in communities where access to good roads and means of transportation of goods to big cities pose some challenge. Mr. Bangura said the process would ensure that community stakeholders were involved in the entire process from the conception to the implementation phase.
He called on Kenema authorities to work with all stakeholders involved to achieve the desired goal.
Deputy Minister of Works and Public Assets, Philip Tetema Tondoneh, said Government is committed to change the livelihood of the people, especially the traders in Kenema. He noted that the “PAOPA Government” of President Bio would continue to do all it could to alleviate poverty in the country, which demonstrated the President’s vision of achieving Human Capital Development.
In his address, the Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus-Williams said one of the greatest concerns of the New Direction Government of His Excellency Rtd Brig. Dr. Julius Maada Bio is to provide infrastructure for its citizens, which has culminated into the need to provide modern markets infrastructure for the people of the country.
Dr. Titus-Williams said this move by Government is to begin the transformation process of improving the condition of traders in the country and to minimize street trading. He said that the plan charts a clear path towards 2023 enroute to the goal of achieving middle-income status by 2030 through inclusive growth that is sustainable and leaving no one behind.
The Team would continue the engagements in Bo District today before heading to Bombali District to continue the schedule of activities of conducting site visits to obtain data for the development of the project proposal for funding.
