Traders at Chinkhoma Trading Centre in Kasungu have expressed excitement with the construction of a modern market shelter, describing the development as a boost to their businesses.
Kasungu District Council constructed the K176 million facility under the District Development Fund to offer vendors a hygienic and dignified business environment to promote their trade.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, one of the vendors, Delia Phiri, said for years, vendors operated under difficult conditions, with most selling their goods on bare ground under the scorching sun.
She said: “I used to spread my tomatoes on bare ground, exposing them to dust and heat that led to contamination and losses.
“With this new shelter, I can now keep my produce fresh for long and attract more customers.”
Phiri said, as a busy trading hub, Chinkhoma deserved a proper market infrastructure that does not expose both sellers and buyers to health risks.
Fish trader George Phiri said the facility offers a safe and sustainable trading environment that has potential to transform the area’s trade activities.
He said: “Selling food on bare ground was not only bad for business, but a health risk to our customers.
“On the other hand, a clean and safe market instills trust in customers and they become more willing to buy as they know the food is handled properly.”
Kasungu District Council director of finance Solomon Nkundika said the initiative was part of broader efforts to promote local businesses through investing in modern infrastructure to stimulate higher business turnover and reduce losses for vendors.
He said the project was also crucial for local governance as it will help the council collect more revenue.
“Facilities such as Chinkhoma Market not only empower businesspeople but also enable the council to meet its local revenue targets,” said Nkundika
