Kimironko market undergoes repair

Kimironko Market, one of the oldest and biggest markets in Gasabo district, will soon have a new look.The market is being renovated in a three-month project expected to cost over Rwf70m, according to market authorities. “The initial budget is Rwf70m, but this will change by the time the project ends, because we keep on adding new renovations, which were not originally in the contract,” Innocent Bahizi, the chairman of Kimironko Market, noted in an interview with Business Times. The 16-year-old market, which also serves as a hub for food commodities and other products, will have its drainage system changed, leaking roofs replaced, all potholes fixed and walkways improved by the end of April this year, Bahizi added. Most traders Business Times talked to could not hide their tears of joy. “I am very excited that our market is being rehabilitated. At least we will no longer lose business whenever it rains,” Ashura Uwineza, a trader in the market, said.However, this was not the case with Claudine Nyamuhukiriza, who had to close her shop to allow work go on smoothly. “It’s now two days since I closed my shop, I have to wait for floor to dry before I re-open my shop. That is costly,” she said.Alain Bayavuge, the MCF (contracting company project supervisor, said the biggest challenge was doing the repairs when the market is operating. He added that rain was also affecting the progress of the works.Kimironko market accommodates over 1,000 market vendors, who do various businesses that range from selling foodstuffs to hardware, secondhand items, design houses, butcheries, crafts shops and artisans to general merchandise dealers.