1 week Ago By hmetro zimbabwe
THE Mbare Traders’ Market, which was destroyed by a fire, is a very important part of the economy of Harare, in particular, and the whole country, in general. It’s a huge economic hub which generates millions of dollars and sustains the lives of tens of thousands of people. Last week, when a fire swept through the market and destroyed it, it was housing 4 965 traders and its income generating capacity was worth millions a day.
The fire destroyed the complex and, in an instant, shattered the lives of the thousands who rely on activity at the market for their living. We should not look at just the 4 965 traders who were using it on a daily basis but the train of dependents, running into thousands of people, who depend on these traders for their livelihoods. It was a huge blow to them and their clients and everyone connected to this value chain.
On Tuesday, the Government brought some good news, which provided a rainbow of light, in the darkness triggered by the clouds of gloom which have been hovering over this market. The Government announced that it was engaging a leading engineering, construction and development company to partner in the rebuilding exercise. Speaking during the Post Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said in the wake of the incident, President Mnangagwa declared a State of Disaster at the Market.
Dr Muswere said the declaration will facilitate appropriate response measures to the incident. He said it was important to note that similar fire incidences have been recorded at other markets in the City of Harare, with the primary causes being use of highly combustible materials and lack of fire-prevention infrastructure. Dr Muswere said the Harare City Council does not have the capacity to address the incidents.
This has led the Government to intervene and is promoting private sector participation to complement its efforts. A leading engineering, construction and development company has now been engaged to partner the Government in rebuilding the Mbare Traders’ Market, under a Design, Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Finance (DEPC+F) model. The Minister said this model will ensure that high-quality facilities are completed and commissioned within the shortest possible time.
It will also allow traders to resume operations in an orderly environment that facilitates formalisation and payment of taxes and will be replicated to upgrade similar markets across the country. This is good news to the traders whose lives were ruined in that fire and they can also look forward to the Government providing financial and social assistance to ensure that they pull through the difficulties they are facing. Fire outbreaks do happen, now and again, not only in Zimbabwe but around the world.
What is important is how we react to deal with that crisis and we are happy that the Government is providing leadership not only to help the affected traders but also create an environment where their long-term interests are also taken care of..
