By Othello Sarweh Nimely
In a latest go to to the market, our reporter noticed piles of trash combined with stagnant, filthy water protecting the walkways the place distributors had been seen standing and promoting their items. The constructing’s leaking roof has worsened the already unsanitary situations, inflicting frequent flooding inside {the marketplace}.
A number of entrepreneurs, talking in frustration, expressed deep concern over the well being dangers they endure day by day. Flies and mosquitoes hover across the market, drawn by the rubbish and filthy water—making a breeding floor for ailments.
We’re actually struggling right here,” lamented an aged marketer. “Within the day, I can mild mosquito coils to drive away the flies. This isn’t a spot to promote meals or do enterprise, however now we have no selection.”
Regardless of the day by day taxes collected from them by the Liberia Advertising Affiliation, the entrepreneurs accuse the physique of turning a blind eye to their plight. They consider their funds are being misused, as none of it’s being invested into bettering the market construction or hygiene.
Including to their frustration, the entrepreneurs have rejected a proposed plan to assemble a fertilizer manufacturing manufacturing facility close to the market. They declare the chemical processes concerned in fertilizer manufacturing might contaminate the air and doubtlessly have an effect on the standard and security of meals objects they promote.
The Liberia Advertising Affiliation is working with a non-public firm to construct a fertilizer plant right here with out fascinated about the well being implications,” mentioned princess Diggs. “How can we promote meals subsequent to chemical compounds? That is unacceptable.”
Nancy Doe Market, one of many main marketplaces in District #8, is represented by Hon. Prince Toe within the Legislature. The entrepreneurs are actually calling on him, the Liberia Advertising Affiliation, and related well being and environmental authorities to urgently intervene and handle the unsafe situations earlier than the state of affairs worsens.
The considerations raised by entrepreneurs on the Nancy Doe Market replicate the broader challenges confronted by distributors throughout Liberia. Poor restroom services and the shortage of fundamental well being providers, together with first assist, stay main points in lots of marketplaces.
In accordance with involved residents, the cry by struggling distributors, who’re largely girls, highlights broader problems with neglect and public well being considerations in Liberia’s marketplaces, the place 1000’s of residents earn their day by day bread.
Alphonso Toweh
Has been within the career for over twenty years. He has labored for a lot of worldwide media shops together with: West Africa Journal, Africa Week Journal, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Occasions, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He’s the present correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in Worldwide Relations and a candidate for second grasp in Worldwide Peace research and Battle Decision from the College of Liberia.
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