Machinga market reopens in ten days

**DODOMA: **TRADERS affected by last week’s inferno at Dodoma’s Machinga Market are expected to resume business within ten days after the government ordered urgent repairs and restoration of the damaged section.

Dodoma Regional Commissioner, Rosemary Senyamule, issued the directive on Monday after inspecting the market and assuring traders that work would be completed quickly while measures are put in place to improve safety.

“The government has directed that the repair and restoration of the market’s infrastructure be completed within ten days, so that the affected traders can return to their businesses on time, in an orderly manner and in a safe environment,” Ms Senyamule said.

She said a special assessment team had been formed to determine the extent of the damage, identify repair requirements, establish the value of the losses and investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire.

The team will also recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Preliminary findings indicate that the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault linked to a system that allegedly did not meet the required technical standards.

The blaze started in Block C, where some stalls had been built with PVC materials and lightweight timber, allowing the fire to spread rapidly.

According to the Regional Commissioner, 20 rooms, each containing two stalls, were destroyed together with goods stored inside, affecting 44 traders.

She said another team of technical experts would work with market management to improve the electrical system, strengthen fire prevention and control infrastructure, review stall construction and redesign sections of the market where necessary.

“These measures are aimed at strengthening safety at the market and reducing the possibility of similar disasters occurring in the future,” Ms Senyamule said.

Meanwhile, Block C representative, Abogast Assenga, commended the regional authorities for responding swiftly after the fire and providing immediate assistance to affected traders.

He urged traders to observe electrical safety by switching off appliances and machines when closing their businesses to reduce the risk of future fires.

Machinga Market ViceChairman Shaaban Simba said the regional government had provided 500,000/- to each affected trader as immediate support.

He said market management would continue working closely with regional authorities to ensure repairs are completed within the 10-day deadline and traders return to business as planned.

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