Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE relocation of hawkers across the country is running smoothly as authorities pledge to amicably resolve the challenges facing the petty traders in designated business areas.
A survey conducted by ‘Daily News’ on Thursday in some regions established that most petty traders have positively responded to the government move by voluntarily relocating to designated areas.
The peaceful relocation of hawkers has been due to the government commitment to ensure that the exercise is conducted smoothly by involving leaders of petty traders, who educated and persuaded their colleagues to move on their own.
Some petty traders who have already been given business stalls are commending the government for relocating them to the areas where they are assured of doing their businesses without being disturbed.
They also appealed to the government to improve infrastructure of the areas where they have shifted their businesses such as road, water, energy and sanitation services, which are crucial not only for them but also customers visiting the areas.
In Dar es Salaam, hawkers who were conducting businesses in informal places such as walkways and road reserves have been relocated to different areas.
Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Amos Makalla told this paper that the exercise was going on well despite some challenges which have occurred in some areas.
He said authorities were aware of the challenges such as lack of electricity, toilets and topography of some areas, noting that they are currently working on them.
The RC said that the petty traders who were doing business at Kariakoo have been relocated to the ‘Machinga’ Complex although they are facing infrastructure challenges.
“The hawkers have come across various challenges such as lack of electricity, toilets, levelling of areas but we are currently working on them,” said Makalla.
“I have instructed municipalities to use revenue collected from internal sources to repair toilets and improve other important infrastructure to create a conducive environment for petty traders to do their businesses,” he added.
In addition, he said that some challenges can be addressed by Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA) and traffic police such as review of commuter bus routes to facilitate movement of traders and customers to new areas.
On his part, Petty Traders Vice-Chairman, Steven Lusinde called upon the government to create a friendly environment for hawkers to do businesses, noting that the move will help to retain them in new areas. Lusinde said some hawkers have been relocated to Bunju B, Mwenge and Machinga Complex.
In Arusha, a section of petty hawkers expressed optimism as they took up their stalls at different trading centres yesterday. The traders equally commended the government for relocating them to other areas.
“We’ve never felt this safe before, we are very grateful to the government for such an initiative,” said Ally Imamu, a hawker at Machame Luxury area.
On her part, Sophia Maulid urged fellow traders to hurriedly take up their stalls and cubicles, a move she said will address squabbles pitting hawkers and shop owners.
Ms Maulid, who is a new tenant at Kilombero block 68 area, said they endured torrid time as they fended off challenges and abuses from shop owners, who didn’t want to see them laying out assorted merchandise in front of licensed traders’ shops.
“This will even give us more impetus to do business. We will be more comfortable and much safer in our new surroundings,” she opined.
In Morogoro District, a total of 980 petty traders have so far been relocated to new areas, which are friendly for conducting their businesses.
“These petty traders have been provided with business stalls constructed in open space surrounding Chief Kingalu Market,” noted Morogoro District Commissioner Albert Msando.
He said that the business stalls which have been constructed were meant for petty traders selling second hand clothes, shoes and other items and not for fruit and vegetable vendors.
He said that the district authorities will continue to find other friendly areas where they can realign to allow the government to earn income through taxes.
One of the petty traders, Upendo Foya commended the government for relocating them to areas where they can conduct their business comfortably.
On his part, Morogoro Municipal Mayor, Pascal Kihanga said that his office in collaboration with district authorities and petty trader leaders will continue to find suitable areas for relocating petty traders so that they can smoothly run their businesses regardless of the weather condition.
On their part, petty traders at Mchafukoga grounds at Igogo Ward in Nyamagana District, Mwanza Region have appealed to the government to build friendly infrastructure to allow smooth operation of their businesses.
Ms Ashura Issa said that the government should design mini-bus stops, so as to increase the number of customers visiting the areas.
She said that it will be difficult for them to do business in the area without having better infrastructures, which will enable them to conduct business during the rainy and dry seasons.
For her part, Nyamagana District Commissioner Ms Amina Makilagi said the government will continue to create an enabling environment for small businesses and has already announced a tender for the construction of toilets and bathroom for customers and traders in Buhongwa Ward.
She said so far 1200 petty traders have been registered for the provision of working tents in the Buhongwa area.
Mid-September this year, President Samia Suluhu Hassan ordered Regional Commissioners (RCs) to reposition petty traders, in a way that they conduct their businesses without affecting shop owners.
President Samia said the exercise should be conducted peacefully without any elements of force.
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