KIGALI - Commerce and Trade Minister Monique Nsanzabaganwa has expressed disappointment over Irish potato vendors at Gitikinyonyi market for working at mid night, something she said is dangerous to the vendors and customers.

This follows failure by the traders to abide by an agreement that was reached between the minister and market authorities that the market opens at 5a.m instead of 3a.m.

After visiting the market with ministry officials at 4 AM on Thursday, and found the market already open, Nsanzabaganwa told The Sunday Times that serious action would be taken to deal with the situation.

"We had a meeting and agreed that nobody is supposed to work before 5 AM, but they have gone beyond and are opening at 3:00 AM it’s dangerous. Therefore we are going to re-assess it.

If its poor enforcement we shall work with the police to solve it,” said Nsanzabaganwa.
She noted that truck drivers, who transport the Irish potatoes, normally cause accidents because of working long hours without rest.

Jean Pierre Ngyenzi, the chairman of Agrune Company that runs the market, said that some vendors had rejected the agreement with the minister since it was not in written form.

"Yes, we agreed with the minister, but some vendors have refused and are saying that we must have a written agreement. They are telling me that discussing with the minister is not enough unless the ministry devises new mechanisms,” Ngyenzi revealed to The Sunday Times on phone, yesterday.

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