Story by John Nhandara
THE construction of the new Mbare Musika market is now complete with more than 2000 traders expected to move into the new facility during the first phase.
Traders are breathing a sigh of relief after the completion of a new modern market that will accommodate traders affected by an inferno that razed down the facility last year and destroyed their wares.
A thorough verification exercise has been completed with the affected vendors set to move into their new trading facility, ushering in a new era for one of Harare’s largest marketplaces.
Civil Protection Department’s acting chief director Mr Farari Hokonya said, “5 134 traders who were affected submitted their names and we then started our verification exercise. So far, we have verified 4 253 traders and of these, 2500 will be accommodated under phase one of smart markets. We are building another market under phase two which will accommodate the remainder. Construction is now complete and any time soon, we will be allocating the traders their spaces.”
The new Mbare Musika market boasts of enhanced fire safety measures, expanded trading spaces and better sanitation facilities.
“We are happy by this stance taken by government under the whole of government approach to address the plight of Mbare. We will first accommodate those who were affected by the inferno. What is exciting is that this project will continue under different phases thereby accommodating more traders,” said Mbare Constituency legislator, Honourable Martin Matinyanya.
The fire, which occurred last year, resulted in significant losses for many traders who relied on the bustling market for their livelihood with government subsequently declaring the tragedy a state of disaster and intervening by constructing the modern facility.
