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Blessings Chidakwa Municipal Correspondent
INFORMAL traders hoping to occupy vending stalls at the corner of Seke and Dieppe roads, commonly known as the Coke Corner, will have to wait longer as development works have stalled owing to lack of funds and the Covid-19 pandemic.
On completion, the vending site is expected to accommodate between 1 000 and 1 600 traders. Acting Harare mayor councillor Enock Mupamawonde said technical glitches had also affected progress.
“There was a work stoppage due to Covid-19 lockdown, coupled with insufficient funds, delayed procurement processes and technical problems,” he said.
Private company, Kingson Engineering, is working on the steel frame, while council is building the sides.
Council has covered a lot of ground with laying of corrugated iron sheets on the roof of the structure almost complete.
Building on sides of the steel structure was almost done.
The delays in completion of the project is a major blow to efforts by Government to restore sanity by setting up designated vending sites in urban areas.
Combined Harare Residents Association said council should partner the vendors to build the new vending markets through sharing the costs.
“There should be community involvement in the development of public infrastructure,” CHRA said.
Online Reporter