The construction of Lopeduru Central Market in Moroto is nearing completion, constructors have said.
The market is being constructed under phase II of the Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Project- MATIP II at a cost of 20.1 billion Shillings.
Mr. Isaiah Tumwesigye, the Moroto Town Clerk said that upon completion, the Municipal Council will soon remove all the containers that are cluttering the town’s main streets.
“We have very many containers that are being used as shops in our streets so we are waiting for this market to be completed and we shall push everyone in the market and no more containers will be allowed in the town,” he said.
The construction of the epic commercial project is being supervised by the Ministry of Local Government after which it will be handed over to the Moroto Municipal Authority upon completion.
The market covering 2.5 acres of land will accommodate more than 1200 vendors. It has 734 stalls, 452 lock-ups and 60 peaches. It will, among other services provide space for saloons, barber shops, internet cafe, day care centres, clinics, banks, restaurants and offices.
Ronald Menya, the project consultant said that the market is expected to be complete by December 19, 2019; four months before the end of the construction agreement. The construction commenced on May 1, 2018.
Menya gave the assurance during a site visit by officials from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Moroto Municipal authorities, selected vendors and Members of the Municipal Development Forum. He told the team that fabrication and casting of arches, columns and fabrication of trusses for the structure is complete.
Masonry block work is up to 85 per cent, fixing of trusses at 70 per cent and the majority of other works above 50 per cent. Most of the remaining work is on fabrication and fixing of wire mesh, windows, door frames, hand rails and fixing of iron sheets. Menya said that some of the structures are ready for painting.
Menya added that the government and other entities had taken interest in the incident where some beam shutters and columns fell down during construction, injuring two workers. He notes that although the Architects Investigation Board is yet to share their report on the investigations, the contractor was allowed to continue with the work.
He added that after the accident, the contractor was tasked on more safety measures including deployment of additional security officers.
Alex Kato and Aida Itwaro, some of the vendors who participated in the site visit asked the contractor to take care of their different needs like drainage and water in the stalls.
