The construction of Marindi modern market in Migori County is entering the final stage with an assurance from Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development through the state Department for Housing to oversee its completion.
The market, which is funded by African Development Bank in collaboration with the National government and County government of Migori, is expected to accommodate over one thousand traders.
The Sh.72 million market is at 98 percent complete with the remaining work to be done in four weeks’ time, according to the Migori County Secretary (CS) Dr. Oscar Olima who led a joint team from the County Government and the State Department for Housing in inspecting the construction progress of the project yesterday.
Dr Oscar Olima explained that the whole construction of the market was planned to take three phases of which the first phase which includes the ablution block and stalls, is complete but not ready for use.
The second phase involves the main market, which is 98% complete currently, and the third phase which offers a car park section, but whose work has stalled due to funding constraints.
The market hosts 64 units of stalls and ablution block which are complete but not ready for use by traders,” said Olima who revealed the efforts being made by government and ADB to complete the remaining phases of the project.
Ms Benata Ongesi, from the State Department for Housing, expressed her satisfaction with the project’s progress and reaffirmed their readiness to complete the remaining phases of the works.
“We have successfully negotiated with the constructor who would be back on site to complete the remaining works to allow us to hand over the market for use by the traders,” she stated, adding that the remaining works, particularly the staircases and car parking lot will be finalized within the next four weeks.
“As a department of housing, we are ready and prepared to take over and complete the remaining part of the project which will take four weeks to finish,” she said.
This initiative aligns with a presidential directive to expedite infrastructural development in the region. The community, which had earlier expressed concerns over delays, now looks forward to a new era of improved trade and hygiene standards., she added.
Justine Ombasa, the site Engineer in charge of the project, revealed that they have covered a big part of the project’s structural works and was sure the market. would soon be delivered for use by the local people.
Eng Ombasa however blamed lack of funds for the delay in completing the works as per the stipulated project time frame.
By Najma Komora and George Agimba
