‘Modern markets key in empowering special groups’
ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR President Dr Hussein Mwinyi has reiterated on the importance of modern markets in enabling women and young people to get space for running businesses and accessing loans, hence contributing to the development of the country.
Dr Mwinyi made the statement, while laying a foundation stone for the construction of modern market at Mwanakwerekwe area in Unguja West B District on Saturday.
The event was among the activities to be celebrated during the 60th anniversary of the 1964 Zanzibar Revolution in the Isles.
“Our dream to have modern markets will soon become a reality,” the President said, amid jubilation from hundreds of petty traders, local importers, producers and residents in the area.
He said there are some people who mockingly said it was impossible to construct such a building in a swampy area.
In response, he added: “I direct the Regional Administration office to invite those people who could not believe, to come for the opening after its completion.”
Dr Mwinyi explained that the Mwanakwerekwe area market will be one of its kind in the country, urging the people, particularly the petty traders to make the best of its new structure to be ready by March this year.
In his entourage, Minister for Regional Administration, Local Government and Special Department Mr Masoud Ali Mohammed joined Dr Mwinyi to thank the contractor JKU (Jeshi la Kujenga Uchumi) for the speedy work in building the market and the Zanzibar Building Authority (ZBA) for consultations.
On his part, the Ministry Principal Secretary (PS) Mr Issa Mahfoudh Haji said once completed, the 35.5bn/- Mwanakwerekwe new market, measuring 33,984 square metres, will have the capacity to accommodate 5000 members of the business community.
He mentioned other new markets with bigger spaces and under construction as Jumbi, Chuini and Mombassa, and the District Commissioner (DC) for Unguja West B district Ms Hamida Mussa, adding: “We hope that after the new markets are ready, we will no longer see petty traders doing their businesses at the roadside and other unauthorised places.”
