Market trading places are enough – Nkombo

By KETRA KALUNGA
THERE are enough trading places in Lusaka to a point where street vending stops to make sense, Local Government and Rural Development Minister Garry Nkombo, has said.
Mr. Nkombo said his office has established that the capital city has about 5, 000 empty trading places in town therefore those insisting on wanting to be on the streets don’t make sense.
He said on ZNBC Morning Live that it is sad that traders in Lusaka were causing confusion by choosing to leave the markets which are designated areas of business to go and trade in the undesignated areas such as the streets.
“I want us not to forget and this is the statement of fact I want to give the nation is that Lusaka doesn’t have a shortage of trading places, we established that at Soweto market we have 5, 000 empty trading places,” he said.
He has assured of continued conversation with traders through their representatives that is free of any threats, intimidation, and agitation.
Mr. Nkombo said the ministry would open a conversation that is fruitful for the country to have an organised trade.
“Remember, it’s in the UPND manifesto to uplift small-scale traders, there may be a little bit of pain from now but there is always sunshine after the rain,” he said.