Mbengwi Council Restores Order in the Mbon Market

Mbengwi Council Restores Order in the Mbon Market

In the course of the ongoing crisis, disorder reigned supreme in the Mbon market, one of the Mbengwi council's main income generation source. Amongst the many ills were nonpayment of rents, no leadership, disorganised positioning,  unhygienic practices just to name these few. 

Meeting Session in the Council Hall

Meeting Session in the Council Hall

Order has however been recently restored in the market following the holding of a crisis and familiarity meeting between the traders and the authorities of the Mbengwi Council, Saturday June 6th 2020 in the council hall. Ever since assuming office, Mayor Ndangsa Kennedy Akam and his first deputy Doreen Fonjong hadn't exchanged with the traders. The meeting thus provided  such a forum during which the mayor told the traders that"We have to discuss and resolve our problems within ourselves"

He also made it clear that during his mandate, he's resolved never to use forces of law and order to enforce his decisions reason why collaboration is vital especially as there's no school to become a mayor meaning tomorrow, any of the traders is qualified to occupy the office. Before doing a situational analysis of the market, the mayor disclosed that based on a prime ministerial text, the traders are exempted from paying certain taxes but not rents. 

Ndangsa Kennedy Akam, Mayor, Mbengwi Council Addressing the Traders

Amongst the challenges plaguing the market as decried by the traders themselves were overcrowding at the gate, non respect of opening and closing time, entering of cars and bikes into the market, non functional toilet and non organisation of the market into lines according to items sold. While the traders posed their worries, they were also made to understand that despite the crisis, they are still paying house rents to landlords where they live, individuals with private stores out of the market are still paying rents, so they shouldn't take advantage that because it's the council's market, no need paying rents. 

After debating on the various issues, the final resolutions arrived at were that: 

1. Before closing time at 5:30pm, a warning bell will be rung after which all the gates will be closed at once prohibiting any further entry while the sellers pack their goods in preparation to go home. 
2. The trader's union executive will get someone responsible for the toilet and all users will pay 50frs be it to pee or poo. The collection and management of the money will be their responsibility not the council's. 
3. Only fully loaded cars with goods or meat can exceptionally be allowed to enter the market and offload but the concerned trader must seek for permission from the market master. 
4. The council will have to reorganise the market according to items sold so that all tailors will have a line, same for butchers, "bayam-sellams", clothing, traders etc. 
5. As from the 7th of June, selling at the entry into the market is completely prohibited be them hawkers, fruit sellers etc while parking space for bikes waiting for passengers at the gate to transport shall be delimited. 
6. During clean up, all traders must actively take part in cleaning the entire market not just a potion. 
7. As from July, repaying of rents will resume and a decision on all arrears owed the council will be arrived at later by the council's executive.

   

   Anye Collins, Newly Elected President, Mbengwi Tader's Union

   

Tekoh Marie, Newly Elected Vice President

Mayor Ndangsa hammered hard on the issue of rents most especially as council workers are being owed three months salary. "By paying your rents, you tend to work harder because it's a compulsory financial responsibility" he told the traders. After having exhausted the deliberations, elections were then conducted to have an executive that will liaise between the council and the traders for a mandate of two years renewable once with the following voted:

President - Anye Collins

Vice President - Tekoh Marie

Minutes Secretary - Anim Sonia

Financial Secretary - Teghen Henry

Treasurer - Njim John

Discipline Master - Ndanjong Thomas

Sanitation Mistress - Tifuh Florence

Advisers - Fomumbod Belinda 

                  - Mobit Grace 

                  - Tah Samuel

Sheds at the Mbon market are given out at 3000frs per month yet for many years now, many of these traders haven't been paying. With order restored, the disorder that reigned is expected to be history from now henceforth. The council promised to assist the traders during the holding of their maiden general meeting. In addition, they were promised the council hall, it's chairs and sound system free of charge anytime the traders deem it necessarily to hold meetings or end of year party.

The EXCO