Sat, 08 Jul 2017 12:45:43 +0000
By OSCAR MALIPENGA
GOVERNMENT has proposed three sites as alternative trading places for the traders affected in the Lusaka City Market inferno that destroyed more than I,300 stalls.
A total of 1,379 stands were gutted while 1,911 stands were not affected by the inferno which swept through City Market on Tuesday, an assessment done by Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) has established.
The ministry of Local Government and Housing through Lusaka City Council has proposed three alternative trading places for affected traders within the Central Business District subject to confirmation by a committee of cabinet ministers on city market disaster which was established by President Edgar Lungu on Wednesday.
Speaking during a first meeting for the committee of cabinet ministers at her office, Vice President Inonge Wina reminded members of the committee that what happened on Tuesday morning was awake up call for everyone to be alert to avoid a reoccurrence.
Mrs Wins said she expected cabinet ministers to champion the processes looking into the plight of affected traders.
She explained that the meeting had been called to examine all avenues that would result into the rehabilitation of City Market.
Mrs Wina said it was unfortunate that the meeting had no representation from the affected traders and the business community.
Making a presentation of the assessment done, DMMU national coordinator Patrick Kangwa said less than half of City Market was damaged and looting took place in the process.
He said some goods were taken by looters.
Mr. Kangwa explained that business could be allowed to be done on the part which was not affected but the only challenge was electricity and water supply which had been interrupted in the process.
“Steel structure is still a problem on the affected area,” he said.
He also explained that about 529 stands were not gutted but had their roof removed in the process of extinguishing the fire.
Mr. Kangwa said his office was administering a questionnaire at Civic Centre to ascertain what was lost per trader.
And Local Government minister Vincent Mwale told the committee that three alternative trading places had been identified for affected traders.
Mr. Mwale identified the places as Simon Mwewa Lane opposite Simoson building, Soweto market land and the open land between Universal Church and Kamwala flyover bridge.
He said the Road Development Agency (RDA) has pledged to pave the alternative trading places at no cost.
And a Zambian citizen identified as Michael Ngondwe made a donation of K1,500 through DMMU towards the plight of the City Market traders.
