URBAN development, through its local economic development agency, assisted the Outapi Town Council in the Omusati region to establish its third open market.
Former minister of urban and rural development, Sophia Shaningwa officially inaugurated the new Anamulenge open market as well as a fire station at Outapi on Saturday.
The two facilities will be expanded in the near future, and were constructed to the tune of N$5,9 million and N$3,6 million respectively, the minister noted.
Some 48 former street vendors have already been allocated stalls in the open market, but the idea is to accommodate about 200 micro traders once the council secures more funds to put up additional business spaces.
“Small and medium enterprises are the backbone of every country’s economy because it is through this sector that our upcoming businessmen and women practise their business acumen, and create wealth to enable them to meet their daily needs,” stated Shaningwa.
She said other projects such as the Oshiko open market at Ongwediva, municipal bungalows and swimming pools at Ruacana and a business centre and welcoming signage at Okahao were also completed through the local economic development agency.
Outapi, with 208 micro traders, and Onhimbu with 249 micro traders, are the other open markets established at Outapi, while the fourth open market to accommodate those who are still doing business on the streets is also in the pipeline.
“If these figures can be emulated by all town councils, village councils and settlements in Namibia, then one will be able to see why SMEs are one of the important tools that we have to use in fighting unemployment, poverty and improving the living standards of our people,” Shaningwa said.
She thus called on people to take proper care of the open markets for the use of current and future generations.
“Keep them clean and tidy at all times,” the former minister urged.
– Nampa
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