Z’bar 2VP orders market fees to match leases

ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR’s Second Vice-President, Hemed Suleiman Abdulla has directed municipal authorities to ensure all market fees charged to traders comply with existing lease agreements to promote fairness and improve the business environment.

The directive was issued during his inspection tour of Chuini, Jumbi, Mwanakwerekwe and Mombasa markets in the Urban West Region, where he also ordered the establishment of a banana auction at Chuini Market to stimulate trade and support local entrepreneurs.

Mr Hemed said the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar remained committed to creating a conducive environment for traders and entrepreneurs to operate safely and expand their businesses. He noted that the government had already allocated 47bn/- for soft loans to small-scale traders and entrepreneurs to help them strengthen their capital and grow their businesses.

“The government is determined to ensure traders operate in a safe, orderly and supportive environment that enables them to increase productivity and improve their livelihoods,” he said.

The Second Vice-President said the absence of regular and organised auction systems remained one of the major challenges affecting business growth in the markets.

“Such auctions attract traders from different areas and stimulate vibrant commercial activities,” he said, directing regional authorities to establish a banana auction at Chuini Market. Mr Hemed also instructed the Municipal Councils of West ‘A’ and West ‘B’ to ensure that all levies charged to traders comply with the terms agreed upon in shop and stall lease agreements.

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This will reduce complaints from traders while ensuring fairness and accountability for both traders and market operators,” he said.

He further directed companies managing the markets to prioritise cleanliness and proper maintenance of the facilities to ensure they remain sustainable and continue benefiting citizens in line with President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi’s vision of building a resilient business sector.

The Second Vice-President also urged traders to cooperate with the government’s plan to relocate the banana auction to Chuini Market, assuring them that efforts would continue to improve the business environment.

Minister of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration, Local Government and Special Departments), Mr Idrisa Kitwana Mustafa, said the Vice-President’s inspection tours had continued to accelerate the implementation of development projects.

“The directives issued during this visit have been received and will be implemented, including minor rehabilitation works at Chuini Market, addressing traders’ concerns and exploring further improvements to the markets,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of fellow traders, Ms Fuwarda Said Ali of Chuini Market and Ms Estar John of Jumbi Market welcomed the government’s interventions but appealed for regular auctions, lower market levies and access to affordable loans.

“High market charges are affecting business performance. We ask the government to establish auction systems in every market, review rental and stall fee and expand access to affordable loans so that small-scale traders can grow their businesses,” they said. The traders said the measures would attract more customers, improve business performance and raise household incomes.