Council establishes new section Herbert Gomba

Yeukai Karengezeka Herald Correspondent
The City of Harare has established a new section to focus on developing market places and the facilities, in a development expected to wipe out space barons.

In a statement, Harare Mayor Councillor Herbert Gomba said the demand for informal trading spaces was high and there was need to provide the requisite infrastructure for the city’s growing informal business sector.

“Harare City is reviewing its operations through the strengthening of its systems and realignment of duties, deployment and redeployment of staff to areas of competence in line with our vision of achieving a world class city by 2025,” he said.

“In our drive to formalise and facilitate the growth of this sector, Harare’s 1882nd sitting on February 26 approved an organisational structure that has a fully-fledged markets Section to focus on informal trading.

“This section is mandated to develop market places and the facilities, thereby growing the informal sector economy.”

Clr Gomba said the new development will allow people to pay directly to council unlike before where space barons where pocketing the money.

“Provision of infrastructure will wipe out space barons and excite the informal sector to pay directly to council, while operating under sheltered markets,” he said.

“The existence of this section will enhance enforcement activities through dedicated staff which will directly work with other sister units such as Development Control, Municipal Police, waste management (provision of ablution facilities at markets).”

Clr Gomba said the introduction of the section fits well into the creation of the informal sector standing committee by the last council.

The markets section under the Department of Housing and Community Development has traditionally operated under the Districts Management section in the same department but now it is a stand alone section to be headed by chief markets officer.

Clr Gomba said council was aware that some of its employees were involved as land barons.

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