Government has clarified that not all markets and bus stations qualify to be run by boards in accordance with the new market and bus station Act number seven of 2007.
Local Government and Housing Minister, Sylvia Masebo says councils should hence evaluate the markets and bus stations under their jurisdiction and produce management plans which will categorize the markets and bus stations into commercially viable venture.
Ms Masebo observed that although under the new market and bus station Act No 7 of 2007 councils are allowed to form market management boards, not all of them qualify to be managed by a market board.
She said this in Lusaka today when she opened a two-day workshop for local authorities and stakeholders on the urban markets development programme.
Ms Masebo charged that one crucial element in establishing market boards will be the financial viability of the market.
She said that it would be pointless to introduce a board in a market which can not generate enough income to pay for the needed basic services of a market such as clean toilets and water, proper sanitation and stalls adding that lack of this would result in frustrated marketers and shoppers.
Ms Masebo said market boards should benefit marketers by providing them with well constructed shops, clean surroundings among others things adding that once services are of good quality regularly, marketers will pay for their upkeep.
She said urban market management is about creating a safe sanitary environment for traders, clients, products and produce.
