Post a comment 
Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has commissioned the newly constructed Kombra Market in the Devil Hole community, Waterloo, to boost the livelihoods of market women and traders.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President Jalloh said that the government’s intervention was a direct response to the persistent appeals from residents, aimed at providing safe, structured, and sustainable trading spaces.
He recalled that development in the community had started with the construction of schools, and now, with the market completed, it was an indication that the government had fulfilled yet another promise under President Julius Maada Bio’s “One Country, One People” vision.
“This market will not only create a dignified environment for trade but also empower women by providing access to interest-free credit facilities and fair pricing opportunities,” Dr. Jalloh stated.
He further revealed that the facility is designed to operate on a 24-hour basis, giving traders, particularly food vendors, the opportunity to expand their business hours and income.
Vice President Jalloh encouraged community members to take ownership of the market by maintaining cleanliness, ensuring proper use, and safeguarding it for future generations.
He also reaffirmed the government’s broader investment in education, electricity, and healthcare to ensure holistic community development.
Furthermore, speaking on behalf of the traders, the Market Chairlady, Kadiatu Mansaray, expressed profound appreciation to the government and Vice President Jalloh for transforming what she described as a long-awaited dream into reality.
She recounted the challenges women had faced trading in unsafe and unhygienic conditions, often exposing themselves and their children to risks. “The new Kombra Market restores dignity to us, enhances our businesses, and provides a safer environment for traders and buyers alike,” she said.
