Construction of new SME stalls in Omaruru nears completion

Martin Endjala

Entrepreneurs in Omaruru are looking forward to the completion of the construction of new stalls in the mini marketplace for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The Omaruru municipality’s chief executive officer, Sindongo Valentinus told the Windhoek Observer last week that the construction was already 80% complete.

He said the stalls will house different small business operators that will enable the community to trade efficiently, effectively, and safely.

“At the moment, vendors are selling along the road, which can be dangerous for them. Although few vendors are operating on the side of the market, the majority are opting to remain selling along the road,” he said.

Construction began in August 2024, and the stalls are expected to be completed by the end of January 2025.

The project is estimated to cost between N$100 000 and N$200 000.

Part of the roofing material was repurposed from the town’s taxi rank and single quarters, with additional materials purchased to complete the construction.

Valentinus said the monthly rental fees for the stalls would be affordable, emphasising the need for regulation to avoid chaos in the town’s trading spaces.

He stressed that modernising Omaruru requires bold decisions, even if some residents may initially oppose them.

“Sometimes these steps may seem harsh to the public, but we are saying we want to bring services closer to the people. Hence there will be people who may be a bit resistant to change,” he said.

Despite the progress, some residents argue that Luna Park’s proximity to busy markets and shops should have led to the market’s location.

Resident Vipo Veii welcomed the innovation, noting that products will no longer be subjected to harsh weather.

However, he expressed concern about the potential impact on vendors’ businesses.

“So, meaning, one has to walk from Woerman/Usave, since not all residents of Omaruru have vehicles, just to come to buy the onions, /green peppers, tomatoes or a combo for N$10?” he stated.

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