KCC reopens city market

Kigali City Council (KCC) re-opened the multi-million dollar Kigali City Market it had closed after its proprietors fulfilled what had been requested of them.In an interview, Bruno Rangira, the Director of media and communication at KCC, said city authorities are now satisfied with the modifications at the complex.The City last week froze all business on the strategically located building, with immediate effect, citing illegal opening of the facility and non-compliance to standards set by the construction office, mainly lack of safety equipment. “The inspection team that has been following up on the market says the building is now safe and all requirements met; traders can now freely carry out their activities,” Rangira added.Adding all works were supposed to have been completed by yesterday.Some of the safety requirements the building lacked, according to city authorities, included CCTV cameras, walk-through machines, metal detectors and car-check mirrors. Rangira said the temporary closure aimed at protecting traders in the market and their clientele, adding that similar regulations are being enforced on other commercial complexes in the city.All people with new buildings, Rangira said, should first seek approval from the city before opening them for business.The owners of the complex, Kigali Investment Company, insist they opened the facility legally and accuse the city construction office of failure to inspect the building and to grant them an occupational permit four months after they requested it.The Rwf20 billion building is owned by a consortium of ten businessmen, formerly traders at the city commercial street, Quartier Matheus.The over 350 affected traders, said they incurred losses during the market’s closure.

National

KCC reopens city market