Traders suffer at N$5.6m market
Traders at the new open market at Outapi say not only was the place ill-conceived but, not all types of businesses are catered for.
Informal traders at the Anamulenge Open Market in Outapi, which was officially inaugurated less than a month ago, say their livelihoods are now under threat because of a lack of customers.
The open market, which can accommodate up to 48 traders, was inaugurated by former urban and rural development minister Sophia Shaningwa on 24 February and was constructed at a cost of N$5.6 million.
Traders who spoke to Namibian Sun recently shared their dissatisfaction with the new facility, saying the chosen location and the planning around the market left much to be desired.
They argue that during the time when they were operating along the main road, in an area where taxi passengers boarded in Anamulenge, business was good compared to the current state of affairs.
“Business is not going well here and we are unable to satisfy the needs of our families. Back then when we were selling along the road, the people who boarded the taxis would support us, which is no more the case. We are just here hoping that someone we know might stop by,” the informal traders said.
They also questioned why the first phase of the open market was designed in such a way that it did not include other types of businesses, such as salons and barbershops, so that they could attract regular customers, who would also buy from the traders.
“Council was not supposed to bring us here before they complete the whole open market. An open market is for every type of business and is not just limited to trading, now we are here without customers.”
The informal traders also demanded that the council erect signs in town that give potential customers directions to the open market.
Outapi Mayor Selma Asino explained the reason why there is no other type of business at the open market at this stage is because council prioritised the relocation of the informal traders who were operating along the town's roads, which she said was unsafe.
“The reason why we did not include the barbershops and others is that we were targeting vendors selling at the road reserves at Anamulenge, but that does not mean that the open market will not have that section; we are still to add that section in phase two,” Asino said.
She however did not say when this is likely to happen.
On the issue of a taxi rank to be established near the open market, Asino indicated there is a plan in the pipeline but she cannot share it with the public just yet.
Namibian Sun also observed new corrugated makeshift structures set up inside the open market, where people are operating from.
Asino explained that the traders operating from the makeshift area are only there temporarily, while adding the council had made a decision to see how they could accommodate more vendors from the street.
KENYA KAMBOWE
The open market, which can accommodate up to 48 traders, was inaugurated by former urban and rural development minister Sophia Shaningwa on 24 February and was constructed at a cost of N$5.6 million.
Traders who spoke to Namibian Sun recently shared their dissatisfaction with the new facility, saying the chosen location and the planning around the market left much to be desired.
They argue that during the time when they were operating along the main road, in an area where taxi passengers boarded in Anamulenge, business was good compared to the current state of affairs.
“Business is not going well here and we are unable to satisfy the needs of our families. Back then when we were selling along the road, the people who boarded the taxis would support us, which is no more the case. We are just here hoping that someone we know might stop by,” the informal traders said.
They also questioned why the first phase of the open market was designed in such a way that it did not include other types of businesses, such as salons and barbershops, so that they could attract regular customers, who would also buy from the traders.
“Council was not supposed to bring us here before they complete the whole open market. An open market is for every type of business and is not just limited to trading, now we are here without customers.”
The informal traders also demanded that the council erect signs in town that give potential customers directions to the open market.
Outapi Mayor Selma Asino explained the reason why there is no other type of business at the open market at this stage is because council prioritised the relocation of the informal traders who were operating along the town's roads, which she said was unsafe.
“The reason why we did not include the barbershops and others is that we were targeting vendors selling at the road reserves at Anamulenge, but that does not mean that the open market will not have that section; we are still to add that section in phase two,” Asino said.
She however did not say when this is likely to happen.
On the issue of a taxi rank to be established near the open market, Asino indicated there is a plan in the pipeline but she cannot share it with the public just yet.
Namibian Sun also observed new corrugated makeshift structures set up inside the open market, where people are operating from.
Asino explained that the traders operating from the makeshift area are only there temporarily, while adding the council had made a decision to see how they could accommodate more vendors from the street.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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