By Reuben Olita
The government has handed over the site in Amagoro in Teso North Sub County that is under the Market Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP), a multi-million project initiative being undertaken jointly by the National and County Governments.
The Ksh50 million market is intended to boost the region’s economic growth, targeting small- scale traders in line with the Micro Small and Medium Enterprise economic pillar.
The 60 by 20m market will have an ultra-modern single floor each, with 200 stalls to accommodate a similar number of traders. The ground floor will mainly consist of smart stalls to provide display space, storage, and security of their wares, cold rooms, and administrative offices.
The first floor will accommodate revenue office, ICT hub, social hall, food court, and an ATM lobby. An offsite ablution block accommodating ladies, gents, and PWDs will be provided as part of the facility.
The market will equally have unique facilities such as cold rooms for preserving fresh products with sanitation and water supply taken care of by 5,000 litres UPVC roof tank and 30, 000 litres steel tank fully equipped with booster pumps.
Assistant County Commissioner Amagoro Titus Kiptoo assured residents that the contractor James Muriuki of Contralink Contractors has given assurance that he will employ people from the area instead of outsourcing them.
Acting Teso North Sub Sub County Administrator Silas Juma said the first recipients of the stalls once the contractor hands over the market to the government will be those who are doing business now.
Juma thanked Governor Dr Paul Otuoma and his deputy Arthur Odera for introducing NAV-CDP program, urging members of the public to take advantage of the program, which is going to benefit them.
Malaba Municipality Board Member Ishmael Orodi, who was the brain behind the purchase of the land for the market in 2010 when he was councillor for Teso North County Council said, he is not regretting the move he made that is now bearing fruits for area residents.
Malaba Central Ward Administrator Esther Isokat said the initial size of the market as per design was 36 by 30m, but owing to limited land size, the shape will change to increase the length to 60m with the width reduced to 20m.
Malaba Central Ward Manager Frank Wangula said during a meeting between President William Ruto, Governor, Paul Otuoma, and leaders from the county at ATC, the President agreed to inject Ksh50m to construct 7 markets in the county.
” I want 75 percent of work during the construction exercise to come from local labour force with the remaining coming from other parts of the county or country,” he said.
Opinion leader Simon Oruchum thanked Hon Orodi for purchasing the land, urging the government to allocate specific market day for Amagoro. He also urged residents of Teso North to support leaders, especially MP Oku Kaunya.
Edwin Enarach, who is in charge of casuals in Malaba Municipality, said, although the site plan has been reduced, he exuded confidence it will accommodate all facilities as per kthe initial plan.
St Thomas Amagoro Archdeacon Ben Oriama urged residents to own the project, which he said will increase food production and create more job opportunities for the locals.
