By Aminata Jallow
Vendors at the Serekunda Market have expressed their gratitude to the Kanifing Municipal Council for its effective management of sanitation within the market premises. During a recent visit to the Serekunda Market, our reporter observed that the management, operating under the guidance of the Kanifing Municipal Council, is performing admirably in maintaining cleanliness and order.
In an interview with Fatoumatta Barrows, a vendor at the market, she indicated that there are minimal complaints regarding sanitation services, as waste is collected daily and vendors are provided with adequate waste disposal bins.
Conversely, not all vendors share this perspective. Sulayman Fofana, another vendor, articulated his concerns regarding the absence of waste bins in his section of the market, which has led to the improper disposal of garbage along the roadside. Although he acknowledged that waste collection vehicles regularly collect refuse, he further criticized the condition of the gutters that vendors excavated to facilitate water drainage, claiming they have been disregarded by local authorities. He did, however, note that the market’s toilets are well maintained, with a usage fee of D2 per person.
In response to these concerns, Modou Busso, the Market Master of Serekunda Market, clarified that while not all traders have been allocated waste bins, those without bins have been assigned a designated dump site for the disposal of refuse, thereby ensuring the efficiency of waste collection operations. He also refuted the assertion that the council had neglected the management of the gutters, emphasizing that the vendors themselves were responsible for their excavation and maintenance.
