GOVERNMENT and representatives of traders are at a discussion to resolve the ongoing strike of traders at Kariakoo Market in Dar es Salaam.
The strike started early Monday (May 15, 2023) as traders demanded three issues, particularly arrests, fiscal electronic devices and registration of warehouses, to be addressed for them to do business at the famous market in the East African region.
When Speaker Tulia Ackson required Minister for Investment, Industry and Trade, Dr Asha Kijaji to give explanations on the saga, she said the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner and experts from her own Ministry and that of Finance and Planning were at the meeting with traders’ reps on Monday morning to ensure the matter is solved amicably.
“But there are places where traders are continuing their activities but there are others who have closed their shops,” the Minister said.
However, Dr Tulia Tulia asked to be given time to satisfy herself about the saga as she admitted that since the two parts were contemplating, there is obviously a challenge.
She concluded: “Since the Parliament session is going on, we will have time to look at this.”
Earlier, Makete MP Festo Sanga used Section 54 of the House Standing Orders to seek Speaker’s guidance over the matter.
“As I speak [on Monday morning], nothing is going on at [Kariakoo] market…,’ he stated.
In his argument, Sanga likened the largest market in East and Central Africa to the ‘Dubai of Tanzania’ while stressing that if businesses stop at the busiest shopping centre, the country will be adversely affected in terms of revenue collections.
THE KARIAKOO MARKET CORPORATION
The Kariakoo Market Corporation was established by the Government in October 1974 by an Act of Parliament which was passed to become The Kariakoo Market Corporation Act’’, No. 36 of 1974.
The Corporation was established mainly with two objectives, one being to control and manage the Kariakoo Market plus any other market whose control shall be vested in the Corporation.
Secondly, to establish other markets in the city of Dar es salaam, control and manage them. Very unfortunate, the Corporation has today only achieved the control and management of the Kariakoo market, because it is the only market which is under control.
The Corporation is yet to be handed with other hands market within that could have assisted the Kariakoo markets. There had been plans to build a new wholesale market that had forced the Corporation to drop the plans.
The Corporation levy stall age and fees respect the use of any persons its markets performing Tanzanians, together with their corporation has regards in political, economic, and social aspiration of Tanzanians.
By being commercial and service oriented and service entity, the Kariakoo Market corporation charges for its facilities to derive the much needed revenues, and give expected basic service to employees through its departments.