The slow progress in the redevelopment of Gulu main market is causing concern amongst vendors. They are worried that the new market may not be ready within two years as stipulated in their memorandum with Ministry of Local Government. The traders are particularly concerned that the construction is going at a very slow pace.
Betty Adong, a second hand clothes dealer says they were evicted from the market in June last year to pave way for redevelopment which was to last for 24 months. She says it’s coming to a year since they left the market but there’s no tangible work going on. Adong says no body has bothered to explain to them what is going on at the main market a requirement that was in the memorandum.
James Okello, a fresh fruit vendor blames the Gulu municipal authorities for failing to update the vendors on the progress of the redevelopment. He says the vendors are anxious as to when they will go back to the market because they have lost business due to the reconstruction of the market. Francis Odongo, the LC1 Chairman of Awer Road where the market is located equally expresses fear that the market may not be ready in 24 months as agreed in the contract.
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George Labeja, the Mayor Gulu Municipality however says he is not bothered by the slow pace of the work that is going on the market. He says for him he does not mind even if the handover is done eight months after provided the work is standard. He says the delay is because of the vendors who resisted eviction prior to the redevelopment of the market.
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The redevelopment of Gulu Main Market which is being carried out by Dott Services was delayed for more than four months over accusations that the original plan was altered. The vendors accused Augustine Bujara, the Gulu town of changing the place of the market from having a capacity of 4400 vendors to only 1800 leading to his arrest.
The issue was however sorted out and construction work started in January this year following the intervention by the Ministry of Local Government. The market is being constructed at the cost of 26 billion shillings.
