To Address Street Trading In CBD…

NASSIT Updates Media On Sewa Grounds Market Progress

By Abdul Rahman Bah

On Tuesday 8th August 2023, a team of NASSIT management took journalists on a conducted tour of the Sewa Ground Market facility. Mr Abel Onomake, Project Manager of Sewa Ground Market, during the visit, expressed happiness in being part of this epoch-making visit to showcase the effort of the government in developing trade in the country.

Speaking in respect of where the institution took over the project, Abel Onomake said that when NASSIT took over the project, the building had various stages of construction work to be done, noting that there were challenges and issues of concerns raised. These were looked into, with a view to satisfying traders, who will be occupying the structure, hence the various accessories provided in the facility. He noted that there were concerns about security issues, and in respect of these and other concerns, consideration was taken to include ways to address them in the new facility. He disclosed that the Sewa Ground Market consists of 7 Lots, and to address these concerns, they then divided the work into several lots, so that they will be able to complete them soon. He maintained that out of the 7 lots, there were two brand new buildings, and the other one was inherited.

Lot one is a single open market, occupying the central part of the market, which is 70% completed, and this lot focuses mainly on the Sani Abacha Street traders. Mr Abel Onomake made reference to some of the various challenges faced by the women whilst trading at Sani Abacha Street, but maintained that with the new facility, there is enough space for traders and that they will also have access to banking facility, clinic, children’s playground etc. stressing that relocation to the Sewa Grounds will enable road users and other customers and wholesalers having business houses in the vicinity to go about their businesses with ease at the Sani Abacha Street. He expressed hope that if the contractors keep to their commitment, the facility will be ready for use next month, September.

The Project Manager, Mr Abel, further stated that the facility has over 1000 market stalls, with 76 warehouses available for importers and other businesses to keep their goods for sale to the traders, thereby reducing the time and burden of having to go into town to buy from shops for later sale. He also disclosed that the facility has over 200 shops, with a view to changing their outlook and making it comfortable for both traders and customers. He also maintained that the facility will be well-managed and structured.

He disclosed that the facility has seven different types of lots, toilets for both male and female, warehouse stores for traders, who do not have to take their wares home daily. He maintained that there are some 76 such storage facilities, so traders will not have to worry about where to keep their wares at the end of the day. Unlike the Sani Abacha Street area, where there are no toilet facilities, the Sewa Grounds Market has toilet facilities for both males and females, availability of water, electricity and standby generators to complement all other activities taking place at the facility. To ensure security, which was a major concern of traders, he disclosed that a Police post and the Freetown City Council Office have been established there, and there is going to be a fire force detachment to address fire issues, a cleaning team for the facility, and a place for nursing mothers to leave their kids whilst engaged in their respective businesses. These kids can use the playground while waiting on their mothers.

Ginnah Alie Koroma National Chairlady for market women, in her statement, expressed happiness over the construction of Sewa Ground Market, furthering that she has been contributing to the on-going work on the grounds by cooking for the workers.

She appealed to contractors to ensure they complete the work within the stipulated deadline to enable traders actualize their dreams of a befitting and conducive business environment. The tour was climaxed by a question and answer session.