Debate over Wakawaka Market Relocation resurface

 

Debate over Wakawaka market relocation resurface

By Kondwani Nyondo

Wakawaka, one of the major agrifood markets in Lilongwe, has sparked debate over safety concerns, taxation issues, and its capacity to accommodate all traders, prompting calls for relocation.

The market has become overcrowded, with some businesses, such as pumpkin sellers, spilling onto the roadside along the M1 to attract customers. 

Esther Chisenga, a vendor at Wakawaka, says the location is ideal for their business as it provides easy access to commuters and travelers.

“We make most of our sales from people driving along the M1. If we move, our customers may not follow us,” Chisenga explains.

However, safety concerns have been raised about the market’s current location. 

The display of goods dangerously close to the road poses risks for both vendors and buyers, while congestion continues to be a growing issue.

“The market is causing congestion, and it’s not safe for both the vendors and the customers who stop abruptly to buy produce. We need a better location,” said Willard Gama,a  concerned resident.

Beyond safety concerns, another major reason for the proposed relocation is revenue collection. 

The current market is privately owned, and the individual owner collects taxes from vendors, which reportedly go into personal pockets. 

The Lilongwe City Council now wants to take control of tax collection to increase its revenue.

Despite the arguments for relocation, long-time traders at Wakawaka believe the issue is being exaggerated. 

They argue that seasonal traders, such as pumpkin sellers, are only there temporarily and that the market’s challenges should not be based solely on their presence.

“This market has always had enough space for those of us who have been here for years. The pumpkin sellers come and go with the seasons. Moving the market because of them does not make sense,”sargued another vendor who opted for anonymity.

This is not the first time an attempt has been made to relocate the market.

 Previously, vendors were moved from St. John of God where the market was being controlled by individuals  to Area 22A.

However, instead of settling there, many opted to operate at Wakawaka, where they could continue selling to M1 road users and attract more customers.

Local authorities have proposed relocating the market to the Bypass Road, where there is more space to accommodate all sellers. 

Proponents of the move argue that this would create a safer and more organized trading environment while ensuring that tax revenue is properly collected by the government.

Despite these concerns, many vendors remain resistant, fearing a decline in business if they moved to a less frequented location.

“Moving to the Bypass Road means we will lose business. People won’t go out of their way just to buy produce,” says another vendor.

The standoff between the authorities and the vendors highlights the challenges of urban market regulation in Lilongwe. 

While safety, organization, and government revenue collection remain priorities, the livelihoods of small-scale traders also need to be considered.

For now, the Wakawaka market remains active, but the debate over its future continues.

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