Concord Times (Freetown)
Ibrahim Jaffa Condeh
9 April 2009
Freetown — Councilor for ward 356, constituency 99 is asking government to help his ward build a better central market.
The Freetown City Council and the market committee are funding the construction of a new market, but Abu Bakarr Kamara said they would like more toilets, better drainage and paved roads to make the market even better.
"It is my dream to see market sellers occupy a safe and very conducive market rather than selling in a private own land," he said.
The market will accommodate more than 1,000 market sellers and help minimize the congested markets in the east end of Freetown. The market sellers will pay Le 90,000 each year to use the booths, and the money will be used to create more facilities to the market.
Kamara said the new market is important to the community, and will give market sellers a safe area to conduct business. Most market sellers are now selling on privately owned property in community.
He said in the rains, a lot of market sellers and purchasers wear plastic bags on their feet to the market, to help avoid from getting dirty. The new market, which is covered, will help people avoid the mud.
"Freetown City Council has just constructed a toilet with eight seats and four showers, as some recreational facilities for the market," he said. "We are presently waiting from the council to help us with a better drainage facility for a healthier environment."
He said they would also like to see the road to the market be paved, which would allow lorries and cars to access the market easier.
Kamara said the land for the market was given by the Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children's Affairs, but they are still waiting to have it approved.
Osman Bangura, who is presently selling in the market which is being built, said he is very impressed to see the councilor and the council work on such an initiative to develop a lucrative market in the east.
"We have been long waiting to have such a very big market for all traders in the east," he said.
Adama Turay, a trader, said she has been selling at a market on private land for over 12 years.
"We always face threat words from several people that they want to make use of the land, and we highly appreciate the efforts our councilor and the city council to locate us to a new site," she said.
"We are committed to pay the said money, so long as it's geared towards developing the marker sellers in the east part of Freetown," she said.
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