BUTEKO MARKET CONSTRUCTION STARTS

By NATION REPORTER THE construction of a modern structure at Buteko Market in Mufulira at a cost of K17 million has started with the contractor Horizon Properties Limited assuring authorities and traders of quality works on the project.

Last month, a fire swept through Buteko market and reduced stalls along with all the goods to ashes, forcing authori- ties to relocate traders to an alternative area.

Horizon Properties Limited Chief Executive Officer Saul Kiwempindi said his company would take 10 months to complete the construction of a modern structure.

He has thus appealed for cooperation from marketeers, the local authority and other stakeholders in the district.

Mr Kiwempindi said during a ground breaking ceremony on Saturday at the site in Mufulira that his company would put up Tuality works which marketeers and residents of Mufulira in general would be proud of.

"I would like to appreciate the reception which you have given us today on this important occasion of the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the modern market. This reception shows us that the project will succeed. "I must assure you that we will put up Tuality works on this market. Our company has a record of putting up Tuality works. One example of our Tuality works is the construction of a modern market in Mpika district,'' Mr Kiwempindi said.

He said during the construction phase, 1 0 youths would be employed within Mufulira district and added that in the initial stages 0 youths would be employed. "So like you have seen our machines, we have already moved on site. So after the ground breaking ceremony, we are starting the construction works. The stage is already set,'' he said.

And speaking earlier, Kantanshi Member of Parliament (MP) Anthony Mumba urged residents to support the contractor in the 10 months he would be carrying out the works.

Mr Mumba said Buteko market had been a ramshackle for a long time, but the Government had decided to construct a modern market after it was gutted.

He said, while the marketeers would be inconvenienced during the construction works, they would be able to benefit after the construction works were completed. "Some weeks ago, we were here mourning after the Buteko market was gutted, but after that sad incident President Lungu has decided to give you a modern market because he likes you, the marketeers and people of Kantanshi in general.

"So let us cooperate with the contractor. Let us desist from politicizing everything, but look at development. Don't listen to critics who want to politicize everything. They just want to mislead you,'' Mr Mumba said.

In attendance during the ground-breaking ceremony were Mufulira Mayor Gift Mushinge, District Commissioner Hilda Kawesha and National Traders and Marketeers Association of Zambia president Goodson Mofya