Abyei administrator says revamped local markets important for development
December 21, 2010 (ABYEI) — Abyei Chief Administrator, Deng Arop Kuol, said Tuesday his administration in partnership with the international organizations is implementing a Markets Development Programme aimed at contributing to sustained economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction.
The establishment the Markets Development Programme (MDP) is also envisaged to contribute to making Abyei a clean and healthy town, he writes in statement seen by Sudan Tribune.
In an effort to ensure traders conduct their businesses in a hygienic environment to reduce diarrheal diseases in market places, Abyei administration is implementing the project with the UNICEF and the World Health Organization.
The MDP is being implemented by the secretariat of physical infrastructure and Housing through local authorities, as part of its infrastructure development programs.
Apart from adding value to the city’s outlook, the objectives of constructing markets by local administration is to create a safe and decent trading environment in the form of shops and stalls for traders.
The infrastructure will also ensure easy access to clean and safe drinking water as well as basic sanitary facilities, which were lacking or poorly managed in most markets in the past.
Marketers will also conduct their businesses in designated places, which will provide them with an advantage of getting loans to boost their businesses. It is hoped this will make it easier for the local authorities to collect revenues, which they say will be spent on maintaining facilities and providing services in the markets.
A total of 135 million Sudanese Pounds (SDG), over around $54 million, provided jointly by local administration and international organizations is being spent on the construction of Abyei and construction of police stations inside and around the town during the first phase of the implementation process of the MDP.
The New Abyei Market located north of the former market, is being constructed at a cost of about 4,600 million SDG ($1,840), is one of the biggest with more than 190 market stalls and shops.
The market is being constructed by the northern based Eyat roads and bridges Construction Company over a period of two years.
It has modern facilities such as, a warehouse, commercial cold storage room, restaurants, ablution blocks and a police post.
Speaking when he officially inspected progress of the construction in Abyei town, Kon Manyieth, secretary of the physical infrastructure said the market is a landmark achievement in the provision of modern infrastructure to people.
“This is because it is one way of enhancing their welfare through increased business opportunities, employment creation and an improved trading environment,” explained minister Kon while inspecting the site.
The official said a facility such as the new Abyei Market serves to provide alternatives to the formal employment sector, which he said has not grown significantly since the formation of the Abyei administration.
The senior local politician said the administration is keen to extend the MDP to all the strategic places and localities in the region.
He said other companies and well off individuals should consider supporting market developments in the rural areas as a way of improving the standards of all markets in the country.
“I must encourage those who could not be accommodated here at the New Soweto Market to seek space in other markets as our inspectors have shown that there are many vacant trading places in various existing markets. These are available for rent,” he said.
Councils have been directed to ensure that marketers conduct their businesses from designated places and establish market streets.
The official warned that vendors who defy the directive to trade in designated markets will face the prosecution under new market laws.
In 2009, the Abyei local council passed legislation that promotes and protects creation and development of local markets. Under the new 2009 Act, the Department of Physical Infrastructure and Housing is empowered to plan, construct and manage markets and bus station boards. The department may, however, delegate these functions to local authorities or the local Government officer.
Through the enactment of the Markets and Boards Act of 2009 and the successful implementation of the MDP, administration has also developed a Markets and Bus Stations Development Programme, which will be rolled out to other parts of the country.
“It is therefore incumbent upon all town clerks and council secretaries to apply the law and also sensitize all marketers accordingly. Anyone found vending in prohibited places will face the weight of the law,” said Kon Manyieth, head of physical infrastructure.
He said councils must establish management boards for the market to ensure all public services such as maintenance and sanitation are provided regularly and efficiently.
Additionally, the council has been tasked to use the new infrastructure at Abyei Market as a springboard towards the improvement of other markets by generating revenue and directing the surplus income back into the management of such facilities.
“My appeal to the marketers is to keep and use your allocated stands. Do not sub-let your stands and leave it in the hands of other persons. It is my perception that traders who sub-let such facilities be penalized by re-allocation of stands to others who are serious about doing business,” he said.
Deng Miyen Baak, businessman who spoke to Sudan Tribune on behalf of the local trade union said good infrastructure is a key ingredient for sustainable development, saying that all countries need efficient transport, sanitation, energy and communications systems if they are to prosper and provide a decent standard of living for their population.
“Investment in infrastructure can also contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals as it leads to improved access to services, generates employment and enhances Abyei’s ability to trade while reducing the cost of goods and services,” he said.
He said good infrastructure also makes it easier for economic actors to do business and helps to improve environmentally sound conditions.
“This modern market comprises various facilities and stands out as a major trading centre within Abyei and the neighboring region. This contribution is yet again a testimony of the long -standing partnership which exists between the international organizations operating in the area and the people of Abyei, he said.
He said the expectations of trade unions are that the markets will contribute to the development of the informal sector and that it will be of tremendous benefit to the small and medium-scale traders. It should also make it possible to provide an alternative to street vending.
This will result in improved market management by providing a conducive trading environment, improved and effective levy collection systems, sustainable maintenance of the market’s infrastructure and improved public awareness of the role markets play in economic development.
The international community through international organizations has strongly engaged in supporting infrastructure policies, investment and services in Abyei over the years with money spent equating to about one third of the organization’s development assistance to Abyei.
The main sectors of co-operation between Abyei administration and international organizations are in transport, water and sanitation and development.
Chol Mijak Kuol, a trader in Abyei, urged the council and the traders to manage the New Market infrastructure efficiently and guard against vandalism so that it benefits the surrounding communities and the nation as a whole
Paramount Chief Kuol Deng Kuol, commonly known as Kuol Adol, pledged that the traditional chief council will endeavor to put an effective market board as provided for in the Markets and Bus Stations Act to ensure that maintenance is carried out in order to get value for money from the market.
The chief said the opening of the New Market and other developments in the area, the council will work towards improving the trading environment in markets in line with the Make Abyei Clean and Healthy campaign.
“The area has already benefited more through the construction of the new market, reconstruction of the Abyei town and improvement of internal roads and markets. This has added value and increased opportunities for our people,” he said.
He said the council, which is implementing the markets and bus stations acts, will use the legislation to ensure that people trading on the streets go back to designated markets to reduce on the unprecedented levels of street vending.
“The council has adequate market space in almost all the settlements. Most of these market stalls are still empty because our people have opted to trade on the streets. However, the council is doing everything possible to correct the situation,” he said.
As part of a 2005 north-south peace deal the Abyei was due to vote in a referendum to decide whether it will join southern Sudan or remain as part of the north. The south is widely expected to vote to become independent in January.
Abyei’s vote was due to take place simultaneously but this look increasingly unlikely as with 17 days until voting begins the two parties to the peace deal have yet to agree on who is eligible to vote or establish the commission to run the referendum.
A 2009 ruling by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration awarded most of the regions oil fields to South Kordofan, which lies in northern Sudan but gave the south most of fertile land.
For this reason Abyei is seen as a potential flash point that could reignite conflict between the north and south, with both sides accusing the other of amassing troops in the region.
(ST)