Garissa market to have access roads after traders meet governor

Traders in Garissa's Soko Mugdi market have reached an agreement with the county administration to build access roads.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between the market committee and Governor Nathif Jama.

In June, the market was razed affecting more than 5,000 small and middle-level traders. The cause of the fire has not yet been established two months later.

Among the issues that contributed to the spread of the fire was the lack of access roads for water bowsers to access the market to help put out the fire. 

Speaking after meeting the committee members led by their chairman Billow Bashir,  Nathif said the municipality would open and renovate all access roads.

It would also establish new ones where necessary to allow entry and exit in all four corners of the market.

“We will also provide emergency response fire trucks and ambulances in times of need to save lives and properties and permit effective garbage collection and proper security patrol in the market,” he said.

The meeting was also attended by James Marete, a representative of the county commissioner and OCPD James Ng’etich.

The two also resolved to start a sensitisation campaign to urge traders who have built their stalls along the access road to vacate and find alternative spots.

In view of this, the governor will on Friday morning pay a visit to the market to personally urge the affected traders to comply with the decision.

Jama was quick to add that no one will be harassed or intimated to comply and everyone affected would be given an alternative spot to continue with their business.

The market chairman called for the general improvement of the market safety by installing CCTVs, perimeter walls, floodlights and well-equipped fire stations.

“We all know what this market means to many families. It is heartbreaking to witness this market burn to ashes everytime," he said.

"We welcome the good gesture from the new administration led by the governor and we hope that a permanent solution will be found."

The meeting was also attended by MCAs Hussein Dakane(Township), Mustaf Ahmed(Iftin) and Abubakar Haji(Waberi).

Other were the municipal manager Ismail Said, Magan Dahir(Municipal board member), Mohamed Bu'uul(head of sanitation), Abdullahi Salat - (head of operations), Mohamed Issack(Township subcounty admin) Mohamed Mursa(governor's office) and Hussein Abdullahi.

Garissa Township MP Adan Duale has on several occasions hit out at the county government for being unable to provide basic safety measures and equipment at the market.

(Edited by Tabnacha O)