It’s a shame to see that most markets around Kigali close at 5pm. This closure does not measure up with the ever growing urbanization of our country.

The urban population is increasing every day and markets should open for longer hours to serve the influx of customers. It is all about service delivery that the markets should be inclined to, and time should not be the limit. I was once disheartened when I was forced to get out of Kimironko Market before finalizing my shopping.

I wondered as to why the authorities had to deploy local defence personnel just to ensure that the market is locked by 6 o’clock regardless of the many customers streaming in and out with traders still busy at their stalls. Many working class members, who make the bulk of Kigali residents, find time to shop after work.

Offices in Kigali close at about 5 pm and for one who expects to use public means will take a whole hour to get to Kimironko Market from Kigali City centre.

On top of closing at an oddly early time, there are very few markets around Kigali which means clients will flood one particular market at a given time of the day thus slowing down service delivery.

This virtually affects the pace at which the markets are expanding because what is got in what time makes up for the in puts for the next hour.

So markets and the respective authorities should think of scraping time limits and instead ensure law and order for the customers and the venders.

These pay taxes to carry out business in these markets, authorities should be courteous enough to provide all the requirements for a better working environment. Power should be installed for people to work for more hours.

Kimironko