Construction works to upgrade Kimironko market into a modern facility are expected to kick off in July, next year, with preliminary estimates showing that the project will cost Rwf24 billion.

The project, which will see the market developed into a modern shopping complex, will be undertaken by Gasabo Investment Company (GIC), a public entity launched this year by the Private Sector Federation of Gasabo District.  

Speaking to The New Times, yesterday, Iza Irame, the first vice-chairperson of GIC, said, currently, they are looking at alternatives on how to handle the current tenants, when the construction kicks off.

"We are considering constructing in phases to ensure that these people are not disrupted. Besides being our prospective tenants, they are also our shareholders and some have invested in the project,” Irame said.

She said the stakeholders will collectively come up with a viable solution.

The market has 2,200 vendors and, according to Innocent Bahizi, the head of the vendors’ association, they are ready to bear any inconvenience during the construction period.

Bahizi said most of the members have bought shares and are assured of their place once the complex, which is also expected to take up the current Kimironko Taxi Park, is completed.

Irame said the park could also be temporarily relocated during the construction period, and the public commuters will be allowed back after completion of the complex, which will have a bus terminal. 

"As traders, we already had the idea of upgrading the market and when the company was introduced, traders embraced it and bought shares,” he said.

Relocation stakes

Jacqueline Mukayirangwa, a vendor, said despite the expected increase on rent, the idea is good especially since there is a plan for preservative facilities for those who deal in perishable goods.

She said they have bought shares through small groups since the minimum shares one can buy are 100, each at Rwf10,000.

Mukayirangwa said their biggest challenge has always been street vendors who "don’t remit taxes and rent yet end up selling merchandise cheaply.” 

Meanwhile, whereas some traders favour staying in the market during the construction period, others want to be relocated to nearby marketplaces, at least on temporary basis.

Jean-Claude Munara, the Gasabo Distict vice-mayor for economic affairs, said there are alternative markets in Ndera and Bumbogo, both near Kimironko, where they can relocate on a temporary basis.