Online Reporter
Farirai Machivenyika, Harare Bureau
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa is expected to officially re-open Mbare Market in a fortnight after its reconstruction following a devastating fire last November. The event will also mark the commencement of a national programme aimed at constructing similar markets, providing vendors and small to medium enterprises with safe and hygienic trading environments.
This was said by Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe in the Senate on Thursday in response to questions from senators.
Minister Garwe said following the Mbare fire, which destroyed property and goods valued at millions of US dollars, his ministry was tasked by President Mnangagwa to develop a national programme for the construction of such markets.
“We are not solely focused on Harare; we formulated a concept note, which was presented to Cabinet and subsequently approved. They decided that, given the destruction of Mbare Market, it would be treated as an emergency and serve as a pilot project, a ground-breaking initiative for this programme to be rolled out to all other areas.
“The immediate target following Mbare is Glen View Area 8, where carpentry activities are prevalent and that market was also destroyed by fire. From there, we will proceed to Sakubva in Mutare, Kwekwe, and all other regions. We will also be targeting our rural district councils to ensure that those selling their wares by the roadside or in public spaces are provided with proper market facilities. We are advancing this programme in line with the President’s mantra of regularisation and ‘building back better,’” Minister Garwe said.
He further said that Mbare Market will include several amenities for both traders and their customers.
“This august House may wish to know when Mbare Market will be reopened. It will be opened in two weeks’ time. This is the first phase of the market, which is expected to benefit approximately 1 600 people. The market will feature a bank, a police post, management offices and state-of-the-art ablution facilities. We are also providing bathrooms where people can wash before selling their goods. We are constructing markets that align with Vision 2030, which, as His Excellency has stated, requires us to be a well-developed nation by 2030, meeting world-class standards. That is what we are endeavouring to achieve as a country,” he said.
Minister Garwe said that, in addition to those who lost their goods in the fire, stalls will be allocated to women, young people and individuals living with disabilities.
