Traders at Lukolis market center in Teso South Sub County have expressed their joy over the planned construction of a modern market at the center by the National government.
The government, through the state department of Housing and Urban Development is expected to construct an economic stimulus package (ESP) market at a cost of approximately Sh50 million.
Led by Tophista Omuse, traders said the current environment has remained a challenge to them as they do their business because they are exposed to the elements.
“Right now, we are at the open-air market and as you can see many of the traders lack shade. During this hot period, our goods are destroyed by the sun and for us, we develop health problems due to the long exposure to the sun,” she said.
Omuse added that during the rainy season, they suffer more as they cannot do their businesses at all.
“Majority of us don’t have stalls, we sell our goods on the ground. When it rains, it is a challenge for us because we cannot do business. Another challenge is dust. Because we are at an open place, our goods are full of dust and this affects us because customers do need clean goods. The dust puts our customers at a risk of health complications if they consume some of the food stuff from our market,” she said.
She expressed her confidence that the new market will offer more space to many traders to do business at the market.
“The new market will expand the space and increase the number of traders. Currently the market cannot accommodate the numbers of traders here and we know when the new market is constructed, everyone will have a space,” she said.
Everline Okola, a trader said the new market will enable them to sell their products while fresh and this will increase their income.
“My business deals with vegetables and most of the time I incur losses because of lack of storage facilities. The new market will provide a facility that will keep my goods fresh and as a result my business will improve.”
She called on the elected leaders to ensure they monitor the project to ensure it is delivered.
“My call to our leaders is that they should help us to monitor the project until it is finished. We have seen many times the project is started and it stalls but for this one, that should not happen. We want them to make sure that the contractor does a good job that is worth the money allocated to the project,” she said.
John Ekombe said the market has remained undeveloped despite raising more revenue to the county government.
“For a long time, our market has remained behind despite being among the best markets in revenue generation in the county. There is enough space for the market and this will help us to improve in our business and even the revenue collection to the county government.”
Amukura West MCA Bonface Erute lauded the project adding that it will help to improve the living standards of the traders and improve the trade activities in the area.
“This is a project that will benefit our people, especially traders at this market. Our people have been suffering while doing their business but now this will be a relief to them,” he said.
Erute lauded the cooperation between the national and county governments stating that this should continue to benefit residents.
“I want to thank both the national and county government for initiating a project that aims at improving and changing lives of people in Amukura West ward. This market will open more job opportunities to many people including youth together with improving the economic lives of our people,” he said.
The project will be among many other modern markets that have been launched and are under construction in Busia County. The markets include the recently launched Mungatsi and Aroma modern markets at a cost of Sh50 million each, Bumala market that was launched by President William Ruto at a cost of Sh250 million and Sh50 million Korinda market among others.
By Rodgers Omondi
