Kitwe’s Chisokone marketeers protest

July 2, 2012 | Filed under: Local News | Posted by: web editor

By ALEX NJOVU
WHOLESALERS at Chisokone market in Kitwe have protested against the Kitwe City Council’s decision to relocate them to the newly constructed Nakadoli market in Chimwemwe township.
The traders, who marched from Chisokone market to the district commissioner’s office on Friday,have rejected the local authority’s decision and have vowed not to relocate.
The traders carried placards denouncing some senior council officials whom they accused of being insensitive to the plight of marketeers.
Zambia Traders and Market Association president Goodson Mofya said his members will not move to Nakadoli Market because the new facility is not conducive for their business.
Mr Mofya said the council should have consulted with various stakeholders before arriving at the decision to relocate them.
“Our members will not move to Nakadoli market because it does not have the place for our people to conduct their business. They have rejected this idea because it will only make them lose business,” he said.
Kitwe district commissioner Elias Kamanga cautioned the traders against taking the law into their hands.
Mr Kamanga said the traders should follow procedure when airing their grievances.
“This culture of always wanting to protest must come to an end. We cannot solve problems through anarchy. Let us follow laid down procedures when doing things instead of rushing to protesting,” he said.
Mr Kamanga assured the traders that he will soon meet council officials to find a way of addressing the problem.
“For now, I want you to go back to Chisokone market and continue working as I talk to our colleagues at the council so that we can get their side of the story over this matter,” he said.
Council public relations manager Dorothy Sampa maintained that wholesale traders will be relocated to Nakadoli market.
He advised the traders to work with the local authority to decongest the sprawling and congested Chisokone market.
“They must not resist change, they may not appreciate what we are doing now but it is for their own good. We want to decongest Chisokone market. We are not moving everyone, it is only our colleagues the wholesale traders,” Ms Sampa said.