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A newly constructed Victoria Park Market is set to be opened for traders of Abacha Street in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
This decision follows a series of confrontations where the traders were on Thursday, July 27th, 2023 displaced from their regular spots by police and military personnels in enforcement of a ban on street trading in the area.
The operation successfully cleared the street of traders’ stalls, tables, and ‘baffers,’ as police maintained a strong presence to ensure law and order. To further enforce the directive, security personnel have been patrolling Abacha Street daily to ensure traders refrain from conducting business there.
Many traders have since then voiced their concerns, stating that they had no alternative sources of income to support their families, especially considering the country’s current economic hardships.
The ongoing conflict between the traders and the police has sparked numerous discussions aimed at finding a resolution. Fortunately, a consensus was reached. The government will allocate spaces for these traders in the Victoria Park Market.
This new market is well-equipped with amenities including toilets, fans, and multiple stalls for the traders. In a recent visit, there was a palpable sense of joy and celebration as traders previewed the facility.
Many expressed gratitude for this provision, noting it’s precisely what they needed. They further pledged to relocate to the market and abstain from street trading henceforth.
Watch the video below:
