By Alieu Ceesay
In a vibrant ceremony, the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), led by Mayor Ahmed Talib Bensuda, laid the foundation stone for a Women’s Fish Market Shed at Serrekunda Market, a pivotal project aimed at empowering female fish vendors and bolstering local livelihoods. The initiative promises to provide a safe, organized, and hygienic space for women entrepreneurs, addressing long-standing challenges in one of the region’s busiest markets.
The Women’s Fish Market Shed, spanning 335 square meters, will feature 124 fish-selling tables and is estimated to cost four million Dalasi (D4M). The project is designed to curb street vending, improve market hygiene, and create a conducive environment for vendors and buyers converging from within and beyond the municipality. Upon completion, the facility will feature 200 selling slots with storage, taps for cleaning, four septic tanks, lighting for nighttime sales, electrical outlets, and improved drainage systems.
Mayor Bensuda emphasized the project’s significance, stating, “The purpose of this facility is to improve women’s sales in a safe and conducive environment.” Reflecting on his campaign promises, he added, “I pledged to over 200 fish sellers that they would no longer toil under the sun in difficult conditions. Today, we fulfill that promise with this foundation stone laying.”
The ceremony saw contributions from key figures, including Councillor Lamin Jammeh, who praised Mayor Bensuda’s efforts to enhance the market’s infrastructure. Jammeh highlighted improvements in toilet sanitation and security lighting, noting that the shed will mitigate street selling, which often clogs roads and disrupts traffic. “When fish sellers and legume vendors operate along the roadside, it causes chaos. This project will bring them inside the market, creating order,” Jammeh said.
Matar Jobe, Technical Director of MJ 20 Construction and Civil Engineering, assured the mayor and vendors of the quality of the artistry, promising a timely completion within six months. The project is expected to transform the market’s health environment, addressing persistent issues like stagnant water and poor waste management, which worsen during the rainy season.
However, the initiative has sparked concerns among vendors, who, while welcoming the development, criticized the council’s lack of interim solutions and ongoing hygiene challenges. Fatou Chore, a fish vendor, recounted her struggles during recent rains: “Just a little drop of rain, and everything was blocked with water. I couldn’t sell. We pay daily taxes but suffer every rainy season.” She emphasized the need for improved drainage systems to prevent water stagnation, a recurring issue caused by inadequate water channels.
Ndey Ceesay, another vendor, echoed these sentiments, urging KMC to prioritize hygiene and provide temporary selling spaces during the construction period. “We have no issue with the project, but they should find us a place to sell before starting work. This is my only source of income,” she said, highlighting the disruption caused by the construction. Vendors fear losing their daily earnings, which are critical for their families’ survival, without alternative arrangements.
The KMC has faced scrutiny for its handling of market conditions, particularly during rainy seasons when flooding hampers operations. Mayor Bensuda and his team, including Councillors Matty Kanyi and Lamin Jammeh, were commended for their advocacy, but vendors called for immediate action to address hygiene and logistical concerns.
During a post-ceremony visit to the fish-selling area, stagnant water and fish scales underscored the vendors’ grievances. The new shed’s drainage systems and septic tanks aim to resolve these issues, but vendors remain skeptical until tangible improvements materialize.
As construction begins, the Women’s Fish Market Shed holds promise for transforming Serrekunda Market into a hub of economic empowerment and hygiene. Yet, the KMC must bridge the gap between ambition and reality by addressing vendors’ immediate needs and ensuring the market remains functional during the transition. For now, the foundation stone symbolizes hope—but for vendors like Chore and Ceesay, its true impact hinges on the council’s commitment to their livelihoods.
