Gulu market to get facelift
GULU main market is to be rebuilt at sh10b, according to the parliamentary committee on local government and national economy. The parliamentary team and officials from local government visited Gulu last Friday and toured the rundown structures that house
By Oketch Bitek
and Gillian Lamunu
GULU main market is to be rebuilt at sh10b, according to the parliamentary committee on local government and national economy. The parliamentary team and officials from local government visited Gulu last Friday and toured the rundown structures that house the market.
Engineer Denis Magezi, told the vendors that the reconstruction was meant to create more space to accommodate those who trade in non-gazetted areas.
He said Gulu was among the 13 municipalities and five town councils that would benefit from the market reconstruction.
The programme will be funded with a loan from the Africa Development Bank and an Arab bank. The loan is payable in 40 years, according to the committee.
Among other benefits from the programme are reduced illegal street trading, increase in revenue collection, improvement of waste management, creating fire- fighting facilities, building wholesale stores for perishable goods and day-care facilities for breast-feeding vending mothers.
Kilak MP Nyeko Michael Ocula, who was part of the team, called upon the project planners to think 50 years ahead if the project was to have value.
The vendors accepted to relocate on condition that their spaces would not be given away to other people when the project is completed.
Ojok B’Leo said he was happy that 80% of the vendors were women and youth. He added that Parliament was yet to approve the loans for various market redevelopments upon completion of the survey conducted by the committee.
He told Gulu officials that they should ensure that the money sent to them is well managed. “If you misuse the money, Parliament may get an excuse to withdraw what is meant for development,†warned Ojok.
and Gillian Lamunu
GULU main market is to be rebuilt at sh10b, according to the parliamentary committee on local government and national economy. The parliamentary team and officials from local government visited Gulu last Friday and toured the rundown structures that house the market.
Engineer Denis Magezi, told the vendors that the reconstruction was meant to create more space to accommodate those who trade in non-gazetted areas.
He said Gulu was among the 13 municipalities and five town councils that would benefit from the market reconstruction.
The programme will be funded with a loan from the Africa Development Bank and an Arab bank. The loan is payable in 40 years, according to the committee.
Among other benefits from the programme are reduced illegal street trading, increase in revenue collection, improvement of waste management, creating fire- fighting facilities, building wholesale stores for perishable goods and day-care facilities for breast-feeding vending mothers.
Kilak MP Nyeko Michael Ocula, who was part of the team, called upon the project planners to think 50 years ahead if the project was to have value.
The vendors accepted to relocate on condition that their spaces would not be given away to other people when the project is completed.
Ojok B’Leo said he was happy that 80% of the vendors were women and youth. He added that Parliament was yet to approve the loans for various market redevelopments upon completion of the survey conducted by the committee.
He told Gulu officials that they should ensure that the money sent to them is well managed. “If you misuse the money, Parliament may get an excuse to withdraw what is meant for development,†warned Ojok.