Ongwediva vendors refuse to budge

STREET vendors from Ongwediva met their Councillor, Kandy Nehova, at the weekend to protest a decision by the Town Council to move them to an open market which they say is too far removed from their customers.

The Council recently instructed all vendors who trade on the streets to only conduct their business from the open market (Omatala). This was done as part of efforts to keep Ongwediva clean.The vendors told Nehova that the open market designated by the Town Council was too far away from the main road and from their customers.They said they had operated from the open market previously and it had not been viable.They explained that their products went to waste when not enough customers came to buy.Nehova, who is also Chairman of the National Council, told the vendors that towns had rules and regulations and residents had to abide by them.But, he said he believed the Town Council would consider their concerns about the open market.Ongwediva Mayor Erastus Uutoni said: “We have to keep our town clean and cannot allow people to sell everywhere in the streets.They have to go and sell their products at the Omatala”.However, Uutoni said, he would again raise the issue with Council which would possibly identify a more convenient site.This was done as part of efforts to keep Ongwediva clean. The vendors told Nehova that the open market designated by the Town Council was too far away from the main road and from their customers. They said they had operated from the open market previously and it had not been viable. They explained that their products went to waste when not enough customers came to buy. Nehova, who is also Chairman of the National Council, told the vendors that towns had rules and regulations and residents had to abide by them. But, he said he believed the Town Council would consider their concerns about the open market. Ongwediva Mayor Erastus Uutoni said: “We have to keep our town clean and cannot allow people to sell everywhere in the streets. They have to go and sell their products at the Omatala”. However, Uutoni said, he would again raise the issue with Council which would possibly identify a more convenient site.