If market tenderers are overcharging vendors, we’ll remove them – Obiga Kania

In a question-and-answer session with Samuel Muhindo, state minister for Urban Development OBIGA KANIA talked about his level of satisfaction with the ARSDP projects, the high taxes charged on market vendors by market tenderers and the funding mechanisms for the physical development plans.

How satisfied are you with the progress of the project performance?

I am satisfied that we have done a fairly good job with the projects. Although my satisfaction may not be 100 per cent, I can say that my satisfaction levels stand at 95 per cent. We contracted an independent consultant and we scored above 79%.

Under component two of this project, we constructed markets, refurbished roads, drew nine physical development plans, etc. Since we anticipate so much from our oil in the region, the projects, most especially the physical development plans, will help the local governments to guide urbanization efforts in their respective districts.

The markets constructed in Biiso, Walukuba, Kabaale and Buhuka shall help the vendors to have a central place for their commodities. This, complemented by the new roads that have been established, shall create accessibility and interconnection among the farmers, vendors and final consumers.

What caused the delay of Walukuba Market when the rest are completed?

The progress of the construction works was affected by the stoppage of construction due to the pandemic. The heavy rains also partly delayed the completion of the market. Although the project ended on December 31, 2022, I am confident that whatever remains will be completed in the defects period.

Payment of the contractor’s last installment will be based on the work completed. At the end of the day, the contractor has to complete the work or he forfeits the payments.

Vendors at Kabaale Market are worried that there are no customers; how shall this be addressed?

These markets were constructed for people in these areas. The absence of customers/buyers is an operational issue that should be addressed through sensitization. The local government leaders in these respective districts have a role to play. They should engage the market management leaders on the best way of attracting customers to these markets.

I am confident that as the activities in the oil and gas sector increase, we shall have more customers flocking to these markets. Some little patience is needed.

The tenderers are charging vendors out of the markets. What remedy do you have?

This is an administrative problem. If those who tendered the market are doing it exorbitantly, we shall remove them from the market. These markets were constructed for the lower-income people and they sacrificed a lot to have it. There’s no way someone comes from nowhere and begins charging our vendors exorbitantly. My preference would be that the people are allowed to manage the markets on their own.

The rainy weather hasn’t been the best on the side of the vendors…

It is unfortunate that sometimes when it rains and there’s a storm, all the rainwater ends up in the market. It is difficult to stop such a hazard when it rains, because that’s how the market was designed. In the case of Buhuka market which floods when it rains, it is a building defect that we expect the contractor to correct.

The vendors raised concerns about the absence of cooling facilities for the perishable commodities…

These markets were created for fresh things. Relying on their local revenue, I think the district leadership should take on the responsibility of installing these cooling facilities. Other facilities from the government shall be progressively provided as the market grows. We expect more people to go to these markets.

At Buhuka Market, the contractor tapped the community water source and people have no access to water when the market is connected…

I shall have to verify whether the contract required the contractor to establish an independent water source as a whole or use the available means. Since the market was established for the community, I highly recommend that we instead advocate for the improvement of the water source to meet the current demand.

Whereas several projects were identified under the Physical Development Plans and Strategic Investment Plans, these investments need funding.The initial implementation over five years requires $80m. How shall such a magnitude of funds ensure that these plans are implemented?

For any project to succeed, we need a good plan. We currently don’t have all the money to complete it. We shall use these plans to look for the money to do what is necessary because of their importance. We shall engage different development agencies to ensure that the physical development plans are implemented over time.

Bunyoro gears up for trade as more roads and markets are completed

At Kabaale market is Spetumah Balondemu, the vice chairperson for all vendors, and she is optimistic that as time goes, the market shall be fully utilized. And like in the other markets under the project, her team also credits the project for providing them a sheltered venue for trading.

“We are also happy that our leaders have allowed us to take care of the market instead of bringing someone to take care of it,” she said.

Benson Rukumba, the vice-chairperson of Hoima district, however, said once the community appreciates the need for the shelter, they will embrace the market and fully occupy it.

“We are targeting the new traffic that shall come with the airport when it becomes functional. After that, the vendors will enjoy working in the market. Even those that left will return. In the meantime, we have tasked our community development officers to mobilize the community about the existence of a market in Kabaale. As the number of customers grows, the more they shall inform their colleagues by word of mouth,” he said.

samuelmhindo@gmail.com