adminAbigail Mawonde Herald Reporter
CONSTRUCTION of the multi-million- dollar Mbudzi People’s Market, a joint venture project between City of Harare and Augur Investments, is nearing completion with over 200 informal and formal traders set to benefit from the facility.
Augur Investments chairman Mr Ken Sharpe said the project would be ready for use in August.
This comes as Government has ordered informal traders out of the streets of Harare.
“The People’s Market is at an advanced stage of construction with a view of being completed in August and opening soon after, to both retailers, specialist traders and the customers of the public,” he said.
“The market has been purposefully built for the various wares and services that will be traded and provided and will cater for all informal traders including tables, lockable cubicles for renting and anchors to include a supermarket as well as fast food outlets offering a wide variety of foods from fried and grilled chicken to burger and chips and your traditional dishes like sadza and road runner.”
Mr Sharpe said the market consists of 10 enclosed structures with a covered central walkway that protects shoppers from bad weather conditions.
He said the market comprises of over 200 stores and tables ranging from restaurants and take-away units, banking halls and ATM facilities, groceries, fresh fruit and vegetable markets, fresh meat market, pharmacies, salons and beauty parlours, clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories, hardware and building materials, tyres and motor vehicle spare parts, furniture, jewellery and cosmetic stores, electronic, cellphones and appliances.
Parking for both private vehicles and a commuter omnibus rank has also been incorporated at the one-stop shopping complex for the ease of shopping.
The City’s principal communications officer Mr Michael Chideme applauded the development by Augur Investments saying it was in line with the city’s plans for the future.
“As Harare City we are very happy with the developments at the Mbudzi roundabout as this is in line with our vision of creating a world class city by 2025 because the structures which are being built there are of world class standard,” he said.
“We are also happy that the structures will empower the informal sector because they will be able to trade from sheltered premises.”
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