Wina asks LCC to build modern market in Mandemvu

Republican Vice President Inonge Wina

Republican Vice President Inonge Wina says there is need for relevant authorities to prevent risks in markets such as fires and floods to avoid loss of property by marketeers.

Ms Wina said this when she toured Chifundo Market in Lusaka’s Mandevu Constituency today.

She says she has embarked on a program of visiting markets in the country to hear the challenges marketeers are facing.

Ms. Wina notes that if poverty is to be reduced, there is need to start empowering women in markets considering that they have potential to help reduce the high levels of poverty in the country.

Ms. Wina says Local Authorities should help marketeers in constructing modern markets which are safe from fire and flooding.

She says she went to Chifundo Market to listen to the challenges the women in at the market are facing considering that some of them lost property when the market caught fire in April 2013.

She says she will forward all the concerns that the marketers brought to her attention to the relevant ministries so that they may be empowered.

Speaking at the same event, Lusaka Mayor George Nyendwa appealed to the Vice President to help the residents of Mandevu constituency to construct a modern market.

Mr. Nyendwa says most women were victimized after failing to pay back loans after the market caught fire.

And a representative of the women marketeers Jessy Phiri pleaded with Ms Wina while on her knees asking her to find time to speak to President Edgar Lungu to address the challenges the women are facing at the market.

The Vice President was received by area Member of Parliament Jean Kapata, PF Constituency Chairman Joseph Tamba, Lusaka Mayor George Nyendwa and other senior PF and government officials.