Gov’t allocates 400m/- for Kawe temporary market

DAR ES SALAAM: THE government has allocated 400m/- to construct a temporary market for traders affected by the devastating fire at Kawe Main Market. Construction is expected to be completed within three weeks.

The announcement was made by Minister for Industry and Trade, Dr Selemani Jafo, during a visit to Kawe to assess the damage caused by the fire, which broke out in the early hours of September 15.

Dr Jafo assured affected traders that the government is acting swiftly to restore business activities and support their recovery.

“The Clerk of Works from the municipal council must ensure the temporary market is completed within three weeks,” Dr Jafo said during the site inspection. “Construction will begin immediately at the Tanganyika Packers grounds in Kawe.”

He added that while urgent efforts are underway to reopen the market, plans are also in place to rebuild a modern, permanent facility at the original site to better serve traders and the wider community.

“The temporary market must be ready urgently so businesses can resume,” he said. “Meanwhile, we are designing a new market structure that will be more modern and functional.”

Initial space allocation will accommodate 15 to 17 traders per zone, depending on final assessments. Dr Jafo warned against any interference or unauthorised claims over stalls at the temporary site.

“No one should attempt to grab space they are not entitled to,” he said.

The relocation is aimed at allowing traders to restart incomegenerating activities while the permanent market is being rebuilt. Dr Jafo described the recovery as a joint effort between the government and the community.

“With the support of the government and the commitment of the community, Kawe will come back better than ever,” he said.

Kinondoni Municipal Director, Ms Hanifa Hamza confirmed the 400m/- allocation for the temporary market and announced an additional 100m/- designated for emergency relief to affected traders.

“By the end of this week, we will start distributing the 100m/- to those affected,” said Ms Hamza.

She also highlighted plans to collaborate with the National Housing Corporation (NHC) to build a well-planned, insured and fenced modern market at the temporary site.

“This is not just a quick fix,” Ms Hamza explained. “We are planning a sustainable market with improved infrastructure and a strategic layout that will serve as a resilient commercial hub in the long term.”

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The fire that engulfed Kawe Main Market on September 15 caused extensive damage to business stalls and properties, affecting hundreds of traders and posing significant economic challenges. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.