UPND calls for transparency in market stalls allocation

THE United Party for National Development (UPND) on the Copperbelt has advised the Kitwe City Council to ensure that the allocation of market stands for street vendors is done in a transparent manner.

UPND Copperbelt spokesperson Lawrence Mwanza said no person should be allowed to own more than one stand in any of the markets.

Mr Mrwanza said the council should use the opportunity to depoliticise markets and trading places in line with the new dawn government policy to stop caderism.

" We have taken note of the council's decision to reorganize the marketeers and traders. We have also taken note of the notice issued to the vendors in Kitwe to leave the street by Monday 11th, 2021.

"Given that we are approaching the rain season, the party believes the decision to let the vendors leave the streets will help the Council to clean the city," he said.

Mr Mwanza said the party took time to go round the markets in Kitwe and check on the availability of market stands and confirmed the availability of vacant market stands at

Chisokone and Nakadoli.

Mr Mwanza said vendors should not feel that they were being victimized but rather appreciate that government would like all marketeers and traders to be trading in conducive environments.

He further said the party had observed that there were a few known persons who had started going round to agitate the vendors to protest the council's directive.

He urged all traders to support the government of the day in its effort to get rid of caderism and bringing sanity to all markets, trading areas and stations.

NATION +260 211 243527