Kisoro Municipality council on Friday resolved to amend the resolution of constructing a modern market at the Old market of Kamonyi village to Mayor’s gardens.
The Mayors gardens plot 29-63 is located in the middle of the town along Kisoro- Bunagana road.
Last year, the council had resolved that the shillings 25 billion market set to be constructed under Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement program – MATIP in an old market.
However, this year, officials from Local Government Ministry went to the site for inspection and found it very small. The site was found to be less than an acre and local leaders were advised to look for an alternative or else they lose out.
During the council session that was held on Friday at Virunga Hotel, Municipality Mayor, Richard Ndyana explained that the Production and Marketing Committee which sat on 16th this month, resolved to have the market constructed at the Mayor’s gardens because the land is enough and strategic.
Ndyana says that the Mayors gardens is public land that already has a land title that belongs to the municipality. He says that the changes will affect Gatimba market located next to DFCU bank also along Kisoro-Bunagana road because it will be turned into the Mayor’s gardens.
Ndyana was backed by Geoffrey Nkurunziza, the Municipality speaker saying that Mayor’s gardens is the only option because Kamonyi village market has no land title and there is no money for compensating some traders who own personas lockups in case they plan extension. Nkuruziza also says that it may be a shame for the municipality to lose a shilling 25 million project because of not utilizing a Mayor’s gardens.
The deputy speaker Joachim Hashakimana and the councilor representing Gasiza ward, Ronald Ntiba and Kamonyi ward Councilor, Angellina Nyirabagyenzi opposed the resolution arguing that the council has rushed to substitute without first analyzing the implications but were overpowered by the rest of the councilors.
Abel Bizimansa, Kisoro district LC5 Chairman says that the modern market should not be fought against because it is a blessing aimed at boosting business in the district. Bizimana says that developing of Gatimba market into a Mayor’s gardens should start so that the public believes that the market construction at the previous gardens is in the pipeline.
Once the modern market is constructed at Mayor’s gardens Kisoro, it will be the second in the Kigezi region.
-URN
