Concerns raised over market initiative

 By BEATRICE BONAKOYA

CONCERNS have been raised over the management and structure of the safe city markets initiative currently undertaken by UN Women.

The Informal Public Goods and Services subcommittee working under the Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council yesterday called on relevant stakeholders to take ownership of the urban markets in the National Capital District.

It also urged the NCD Commission to take the lead in providing proper market facilities.

The UN Women is a non-government organisation, solely funded by the UNFPA to initiate clean, safe and secure markets for women to sell their produce. 

The first model market under its safe city market initiative was the Gerehu market.  

However, the subcommittee said the city markets needed proper facilities such as adequate water supply, proper sanitation, secure fencing and more space to give them a safer look.

Other model markets that UN Women is currently working on are Tokakara, Gordons and the proposed fish market at Ela Beach.

Health Department senior policy officer Agnes Pawiong said she had invited UN Women to liaise with the department to coordinate a technical assessment team to assess the Gerehu market and use it to improve other markets.