Abandoned Madina Market Building Raises Safety Fears as Traders Risk Trading Beneath It

According to a report by 3News published on October 11, 2026, an abandoned two-storey building at the old Madina Zonal Council within the Madina Market is raising serious safety concerns, as traders continue selling goods beneath and around the deteriorating structure.

The unfinished building, which traders say has remained incomplete for years, reportedly has exposed metal rods, damaged walls and sections that appear to be in a precarious condition. These visible signs of deterioration have raised fears about the safety of traders, customers and other people who visit the market daily.

A visit to the area by TV3 News on Saturday, October 10, revealed that some traders were still operating beneath the structure, while others had turned parts of the unfinished building into storage spaces for their goods.

According to traders, construction began in the early 2000s. The building was reportedly intended to provide trading space for approximately 200 people, but the prolonged abandonment has prevented it from serving its original purpose.

Some traders acknowledged the potential danger but explained that finding alternative locations would be difficult because their businesses depend on customers who visit the market. Relocating without adequate arrangements, they said, could disrupt their livelihoods and reduce their daily income.

The traders also indicated that authorities had cautioned them against operating beneath the building. However, some have continued trading in the area because they have limited alternatives.

They are appealing to the relevant authorities to provide alternative trading spaces and give them until the end of 2026 to make arrangements to relocate.

The situation presents a difficult challenge for the authorities: protecting lives while avoiding unnecessary disruption to the livelihoods of people who depend on the market.

A professional structural assessment would help determine the building’s condition and establish whether it can be repaired, completed or needs to be demolished. Authorities may also need to restrict access to any sections identified as dangerous.

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