The construction of Soroti Market, one of the largest markets in the East African region, has been completed.
The market that was constructed under Market and Agriculture Trade Improvement Project (MATIP) has cost the government of Uganda over Shs24 billion.
The state of the art market that has 2200 lock-ups and a radio station, will be commissioned any time soon according to the Soroti Town Clerk, Moses Otimong.
Mr. Otimong adds that the interior construction is at 96% and the constructor is expected to hand over the work to them any time soon.
He says that once the work is handed over to them, the Local government together with the Ministry of Works will then invite the president who will be moving around the country commissioning different markets including Busia and Moroto.
According to the Construction Management Officer, Simon Ochen the radio station will be used to sensitize the vendors about the availability of the market, tax obligation, hygiene and sanitation, parenting, financial discipline among others.
The radio station will be at the fourth floor given to vendors by the German government.
According to Amrit Pal Singh, the Project Manager, this project was expected to be completed in February 2020 but it was delayed due to a change of designs and other factors.
“The Lockdown affected both the flow of materials from foreign countries as well as manpower since the movement of people was restricted as a preventive measure,” said Singh.
Singh pointed out that another cause for the delay was the slight change of the market design in order to suit vendors’ preferences and choices.
Singh said that most of the shops and stalls have already been booked by the local business people.
Unlike other Markets in the country which rely fully on Hydro Electricity Power supply, this one will have a solar back up to operate cold rooms for storage of perishables.
The market will have a fully operational solar water pump, 70 CCTV cameras installed in various locations, several loudspeakers to provide easy communication as well as entertainment.
The facility will also have among other things stalls, prayer rooms, restaurants, day care facilities, police post, meeting rooms, health facility, kiosks, and banks.
The construction commenced in March 2018 with funding from the African Development Bank.
This market will not only benefit the people of Soroti but the whole of the Teso region.
It is one of the major achievements which were highlighted among others by the National Resistance Movement in the Eastern region.
Credit: kampalasqoop.com
