Nkhata Bay touts new market

Nkhata Bay District director of planning and development Isaac Mkandawire says the new Nkhata Bay Market will boost the council’s revenue generation.

In an interview, he said the facility will accommodate more small-scale businesses.

“The council needs revenue to carry out its operations effectively. So, the market will be a source to generate such income,” said Mkandawire.

On his part, Nkhata Bay Boma ward councillor Cyria Nyamwera said he was pleased the project was completed.

“It was not good to see traders trading by the jetty gate or the bus depot because of lack of market space. As you know, Nkhata Bay is a major tourist destination, it has to be clean at all times,” he said.

In his remarks, Nkhata Bay Market Committee chairperson Foster Mhone said the previous market had little space to accommodate all traders, but the new facility will accommodate about 5 000.

“I urge the council to speed up rolling out the e-ticketing system,” he said.

The project started in 2020 and was expected to be completed by March 2021, but delayed due to Covid-19.

The project was constructed under the More Income and Employment in Rural Areas Project with K351 million funding from GIZ.