Soroti – The Market and Agricultural Trade Improvement Program Project-2 (MATIP-2) officials are impressed with the quality of works and pace of the construction of the Soroti Central Market.
“I am impressed with the progress of construction works made by the contractor within nine months. This means the contractors are keeping with time and I thank the consultant for the close supervision,” said J.J Geoffrey Ettedu, the National Coordinator for MATIP-2.
He made the impression during a visit to the construction site on Wednesday to track the progress of construction works in the market.
Soroti Central Market is being constructed by TECHNO 3 Uganda Ltd at a tune of Shs24 billion loan acquired from African Development Bank.
Ettedu said the Ministry of Local Government and African Development Bank had previously been in Hoima, Gulu, Moroto, and Lira but none of those projects measure up to that one being delivered in Soroti, the city of Teso in terms of scope, design and standards.
Soroti central market project is the biggest of all the markets being constructed under the markets and agricultural trade improvement project, he added.
Eng. Robert Kakiiza K, a project manager – TECHNO 3 Uganda Ltd said that while most of those markets rely on public electricity or fuel guzzling generators, Soroti market is designed to use solar power for operating most things like cold rooms for storage of fresh foods and vegetables.
He added that apart from solar power for light, there will also be a solar powered water pumping system specifically for the market. He said that less of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation supply will be used.
“Translucent iron roofs will be used to ensure that most of the day-to-day activities are done under natural light conditions,” stated Engineer Kakiiza.
According to him, the new market is planned to be fitted with 70 CCTV cameras and loud speakers controlled from the office of the chairman of the vendors for easy communication.
Eng. Philip Pichan Cwinyaai, the contract manager TECHNO 3 Uganda Ltd explained that the decision to move fast with the layout of the main super-structure is aimed at securing more time for finishes which is normally a time consuming phase in project construction.
He projected that works on the main structure would be wound up by February next year so that there is a full year to concentrate on finishes heading to the 2020 completion deadline.
The market once completed is projected to accommodate close to 4,000 vendors up from 1000 that were occupying the old market.
George William Eriebat, the chairperson Soroti main market vendors association applauded government for giving Soroti municipality such a unique facility.
According to him, the market is not only a pride for Soroti district but Teso as a region.
“It will go a long way in creating job opportunities for vendors,” he summed up his happiness.
Yes good