Karonga vendors express concern over unhygienic market place

Karonga vendors have expressed fear that the unhygienic market place where they sell their wares could breed waterborne diseases.

Speaking in an interview on Friday, Karonga Main Market chairperson Godwin Ng’ambi said they are concerned about the stagnant water in the drainage system.

He said: “As vendors our worry is that the development can lead to cholera outbreak just as is the case with our neighbouring Tanzanians and some areas in the southern part of Malawi.”

Efforts to talk to Karonga District Council human resource officer Tamika Milimbo proved futile as his mobile phone numbers went unanswered.

However, when asked to comment on the matter, health and environmental service committee chairperson Harry Mwanyembe, acknowledged the problem the challenge.

He said: “We had no available resources due to delays in bank transactions, but I can assure the vendors not to panic because we will start cleaning the market soon.”

So far business has not yet been affected because customers have no option, but to buy their merchandise at the market. n