Bamenda III Authorities Urge Foncha Junction Traders to Move to New Ntasen Market

By Martial Gnoukapasir 

Ayuni Austin Sàka sensitizing traders at Foncha Junction

The Divisional Officer for Bamenda III Subdivision, Saka Austin Ayuni, has sensitized petty traders operating at Foncha Junction in Bamenda and along the stretch down to S-Bend, Mile 3, urging them to desist from selling at the roadside and relocate to the newly constructed Ntasen market built by the Bamenda III Council.

The Divisional Officer, accompanied by the Second Deputy Mayor of the Bamenda III Council, Margaret Ndzelen, carried out the sensitization exercise using a megaphone.

 Addressing the traders, he reminded them to stop selling along the highway, warning that the sensitization mission conducted in the early hours of Wednesday, June 10, would be the last.

He stated that stricter measures would be taken if the traders failed to heed the call to occupy spaces at the Ntasen Market at below Foncha.

Traders display foodstuffs at Foncha Junction

According to the administrator, selling along the highway not only creates urban disorder but also exposes traders and their loved ones to dangers such as road accidents that could result in loss of life.

"We cannot tolerate disorder in the name of fighting poverty. Selling on the highway poses serious risks to both the traders and those who come here to buy," Saka Austin Ayuni said.

"We are out today to give them a final opportunity to move to the market so that law and order can prevail," he added.

Traders Raise Concerns

The petty traders, while listening to the administrative authorities, expressed concerns over security at the newly constructed market, the possibility of flooding, and a lack of knowledge regarding the procedure for acquiring market spaces.

A trader raising concerns

Responding to these concerns, the Divisional Officer stated that with the security post located below Foncha and other measures that have been put in place, the market is safe for traders to sell their produce and conduct their businesses.

He further explained that before constructing the market, the Bamenda III Council carried out feasibility studies to ensure that traders would not be affected by flooding.

He added that the council had invested heavily in expanding the riverbeds, which is why there has not been any flooding incident at the market.

Adding her voice to the discussion, the Second Deputy Mayor, Margaret Ndzelen, said the procedure for obtaining a market space at the newly constructed market had been simplified to accommodate traders. She reiterated that traders had nothing to worry about once they arrived at the site.

displayed commodities at roadside

She explained that obtaining a space was not a matter of showing up at the council but rather to the market authorities on site.

"For the past two or three months, people have been occupying the market. There is already a market warden there, so all arrangements and procedures for obtaining a market space are handled directly at the market," she said.

The Divisional Officer further noted that by selling on the highway, traders were indirectly depriving the council of local taxes needed to support the development of the municipality.

MNews however, recalls that during the Administrative and Management Accounts Session of the Bamenda III Council held in February this year, a deliberation fixing the price of sheds at the newly constructed Ntasen Market was adopted at CFAF 15,000.