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Abigail Mawonde Herald Reporter
Harare City Council is collecting $36 000 daily from Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises but is failing to provide basic infrastructure for the traders, a Cabinet minister has said. Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni made the remarks during a joint tour with the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing of BEST Co-operative in Mbare yesterday.

“Here in Harare, I heard they are collecting at least $36 000 daily. If they set aside 30 percent, for example, this will be the most effortless and tidy way of building the infrastructure facilities. What is the money doing? On behalf of the MSMEs I would like us to change that. Money should be given in exchange for services or goods,” said Minister Nyoni.

“I would like to call upon local authorities to upscale the provision of space for infrastructure development such as factory shells, market malls and stalls, common service facilities, farm produce wholesale markets and flea markets amongst others.” .

Minister Nyoni said in 2014, Minister Chombo directed councils to reserve stands specifically for MSMEs in a move aimed at developing them.

She said it was disappointing that councils have failed to do so.

“This was a landmark development towards meeting workspace needs for the MSMEs in the country. The majority of local authorities have provided just an open space.

For a start this is welcome but not enough. “We need to quickly provide better workspace to formalise them and protect MSMEs from the vagaries of weather as well as giving them dignity,” she said.