BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes
@SunZambia
TRADERS at Chingwere market in Lusaka have bemoaned lack of business in the area and have called on Government to empower them with soft loans.
Traders spoken to said poor sanitation at the market had contributed to the slow business as customers were not comfortable buying food from there.
Lucy Chongo, one of the traders said the market was smelly following the rains which had affected some nearby blocked drainages.
Ms Chongo said she was prepared to venture into a different business if she would access a soft loan from Government.
“I have been selling tomatoes and vegetables for five years in this market but business has been going down on a daily basis. This is frustrating because most of us depend on income from this business to survive,” she said. And Precious Kasuba, another trader at the market said the market was in dilapidated state and needed urgent attention.
Ms Kasuba said she had for years been applying for a soft loan to expand her business but all had been in vain because she did not have collateral.
“We ask Government to please help us with soft loans through market empowerment fund or any other initiatives which are there. We are ready to pay the loans back once our businesses thrive,” Ms Kasuba said.
