President Rupiah Banda has officially opened the New Soweto Market in lusaka.
The President braved the rains to unveil the multi-billion kwacha European Union sponsored market.
Despite the rains in most parts of Lusaka today, the President officiated at the event, which was characterized by music and dance.
President Banda said that the commissioning of the market is a land mark achievement for all people because it is one way of providing development and growth to the informal sector.
President Banda also warned against discrimination based on political affiliation, at the market.
President Banda said the market should provide harmony and a peaceful atmosphere for all people regardless of tribe or political affiliation.
The President said 36 billion kwacha has been spent on constructing the market, adding that more such trading places will be built not only in Lusaka but other parts of the country as well.
Meanwhile, President Banda has directed the Lusaka City Council to remove street vendors following the construction of the new Soweto Market.
President Banda said the council should ensure that street vendors are allocated stalls in designated markets were space is available.
The President said this in Lusaka today when he commissioned the New Soweto Market constructed at the cost of 40 billion Kwacha, by the European Union.
President Banda urged those trading on the streets to co-operate with the city council and move to markets so that the streets can become safe.
He warned that those found trading on the streets will be pursued by the law.
And President Banda challenged the Media to educate Zambians on the need to trade in designated areas.
He said that it is unfortunate that traders have failed to occupy NAKADOLI market on the Copperbelt.
President Banda says although the traders face a lot of challenges, there is need for them to take up space in the newly constructed markets.
And Out-going EU Head of Delegation DEREK FEE said forty- billion kwacha was pumped into the market.
He said the New Soweto Market is one of the most modern markets in the region.
Dr FEE said construction of the market is testimony of the long standing relations between the EU and Zambia.
He hoped that the new market will contribute to the development of the informal sector in the city and the country as a whole.
And Lusaka Mayor Daniel Chisenga pointed out that the Lusaka City Council is working tirelessly to ensure that all markets in the city maintain high standards of hygiene.
[ ZNBC ]
good job!
good job! thats why RB is the best)
Well done EU don’t just give cash this way you can see your money been well spent.
My request to you is to train the LCC now on how to maintain the market.
Is this not the market which was completed way back and full of foreigners?
Does this guy ever sit down and analyze critical issues? If not traveling he is busy doing Ministers’ and MPs’ jobs! At this rate, he can run the entire GRZ alone. Even ba Councilor can be left to open Markets please!
RB is making allowances by taking too many trips! We are gone back to 1986 old days of UNIP – Shame
According to Dr. Fee, this is one of the most modern markets in the region. So why did PF cadres full of hatred for development and their nation downplay this achievement and mock it. They mocked this market were around 2,100 people will be conducting business. Says a lot about PF who’s cancels fail at simple jobs like garbage collection.
much to your pain and annoyance RB and MMD will continue to score points afta point. yes RB will open all developmental projects so that voters are reminded that this is a working govt not a noisy making opposition. what is sata going to open maybe an ablution block in mpika
you should have seen lusaka town centre was awash with celebrations by over 10000 marketerss who witnessed the grand openning. its not a market for MMD cadres but all zambians and ba PF are in the majority at the market. watch them cross the floor to MMD the party and its working govt
Uwe major, you should be the last person to talk about hygiene. You have failed to clean up your back yard at kamwala and cairo rd and you think the markets will be kept clean. where are the bins for people to throw in their rubbish? it has to take the president to direct LCC to clean up the streets. shame on your council which is getting our rates without providing services
I’m surprised he showed up himself, normally where there are no allowances on his part he merely delegates. Maybe he wanted to get away from Thandiwe at statehouse.
Please make Chisokone in Kitwe a two story market and Ndola’s downtown market better! You leaders do not know how to build other places but just Lusaka! Chingola, Mufulira and Luanshya deserve better markets than those dirt ones which are eye sores! Vote for President Michael SATA who knows better about the councils, health care and GOVERNANCE!!!
our women will be able to trade from a decent and condusive market. Years of trading in filth and cholera endemic makeshift market has come to an end. this is the progress we keep talking about. an honest person who was at soweto market five years ago will not recognise the place today bcos its modern and state of the art
Presidents Come and Presidents Go!
#1 Samora !why is your flag not Russia?Viva RB:))))
Maestro Hhehhehhehhe for 2011 would-b President of Zambia HH
is gay check his comments full of hatred…….he has made me start to starting the tongas and his hh!!!
iwe chik.ala samora i will see you i come ku peters kupusa koswe iwe…..
hahaha simuvela imwe guyz
Now the PF councillors should learn to be fully accountable, audited financial results released in the papers or online, if they even create websites for their councils.
that is the only way the government can make from the informal sector.Build them were they can trade and have permanent adresses.In that way force them to contribute tax to government coffers to build more such markets somewhere.Talking about including the informal sector in the tax base,that is the only way.And the govenrmnet should see that as an investment which should be generating income in terms of tax.Build pipo markets,stores give them licenses and collect tax to build the country period,thats how easy u build countries and make sure that every citizen is contributing to the development of the country.Not just EU now govenment build more of such not just officiating and pretend u are working as a politician.its a good thing & can learn something not just politics.
#15 john phiri: does it mean when a person from your tribe makes hateful comments then you will start hating people from your tribe and stop supporting any presidential candidate from your tribe? Get real and stop finding excuses in others to mask your tribalism!!
City market is not full, lots of space is still unoccupied…..i doubt if this new market was necessary….because the real marketeers can’t afford to bribe the MMD officials and later on Pay the rentals to the PF council.
Let us be supportive of developmental projects like this one. Only fools would object to such developments. The only challenge is how to put to good use the levies collected from marketers.
A president, commissioning a market? isnt that the job of a town clerk, or a mayor?
It would be nice to see some pictures of the new Soweto Market. How about it ba LT?
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