DAR ES SALAAM: THE construction and renovation of the Kariakoo market has reached 93 per cent, and is expected to open in August, this year.
The Kariakoo main market, a two-storey building, was destroyed by fire in July 2021.
Its extension, the coconut market, was constructed afresh to a nine-floor structure. The market, famous in East and Central Africa, is expected to go into operation in August and it will operate 24 hours a week and will have new features such as banks and CCTV cameras.
The Dar es Salaam Regional Administrative Secretary, Dr Toba Nguvila, told the Daily News over the weekend that the remaining construction works involve the installation of ventilation equipment and two elevators, a task that is expected to start next month.
“We have also directed TANESCO and Fire Brigade to put all required infrastructures in place for security and safety reasons before the opening day…. This includes floodlights to warrant smooth day and night businesses to take place,” said Dr Nguvila.
Additionally, the RAS said the entire surrounding area of the market, including streets will be installed with CCTV cameras to beef up security.
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The Kariakoo market will have new features such as spaces to accommodate four banks and three ATMs to enable traders to make transactions within the market, thus warranting cash handling safety.
The market building is also be equipped with fire hydrants as a first aid to extinguish fire. Also, the market will accommodate some 3000 traders compared to 1600 who were accommodated in the previous structure which was gutted down by fire. Dr Nguvila said to ensure the smooth allocation of spaces to traders, the regional government has formed a committee to make sure previous traders are allocated slots, including working on modalities to accommodate new applicants.
Dr Nguvila said Kariakoo is the largest market in East and Central Africa and serves the entire bloc. The main market was burned down on July 2021 where 224 traders incurred loss when their goods were burnt to ashes.
The government did not allow the traders to return and instead started the process of building a new structure and renovating the old one.
The government declared that the victims of the fire accident would be given priority. A total of 28bn/- was allocated for the construction and renovation of the market where the project began in January 2022.