Supporting informal traders key to economic development

Simbarashe Msasanuri
Confusion reigns supreme as people jostle to buy different commodities displayed along the narrow streets, where vendors who are shouting on top of their voices in a bid to woe customers, are displaying their wares virtually blocking the road.
Different items are on sale at this illegal market where pedestrians find it difficult to pass through and go their way. A vendor could be heard shouting “Elfu Moja,. Elfu Moja “ while another one is shouting another amount to such an extent that one will be forgiven to mistake it to a psychiatric ward.
This describes a situation at Kariakoo especially during weekends where vendors continue to maintain a heavy presence despite a ban imposed by city fathers, prohibiting them from doing their business in undesignated areas.
These people have been blamed as the main causes of filthiness in the city. Dar es Salaam is in a sorry state where garbage carpets the streets and inconveniencing residents and passersby. In fact, a permanent solution to the problem seems to be eluding the powers that be.
In recent years, many attempts have been made to curb the problem but all efforts have been in vain. The city council having realized that petty traders contribute significantly to pollution in the city, employed city militia to arrest those found selling their wares at un designated areas. This however, seems to be failing since vendors and the militia play hide and seek game resulting in traders maintaining a heavy presence on our street
The city fathers and the police jointly formed an auxiliary police force last year to help deal with the problem of filthiness and vendors. The auxiliary police, headed by former police commanders, are there to enforce city by-laws including fining those that are found throwing garbage onto the streets.
Everyone found on the wrong side of the law will be fined 50 000/- . Speaking during a ceremony to inaugurate the force and allocate uniforms for the different municipalities in the region, then, Dar es Salaam Regional commissioner, William Lukuvi warned city residents that they should comply with city by-laws or leave, adding that those who fail to comply will face the wrath of the law.
It is unfortunate that no solution seems to be in sight for the problem of vendors in Dar es Salaam. Though vendors and petty traders have been labeled as a menace in the city, they use their small businesses to ward off the effects of the global economic crisis that is rocking the world.
The businesses have brought in smiles on the faces of most families whose members could be sleeping on empty stomachs but who are now having food on the table every evening. Many parents are using the proceeds from these businesses to send their children to school and provide for day to day needs of the family.
It also remains true that the informal and the private sectors contribute not only to the economy of this country but go a long way in improving the lives of the ordinary people. A lot more could be achieved if these people are assisted in establishing viable businesses.
The reports that government has pledged to further support the private sector could not have come at any better time than this. The government recently promised to support local investors to boost economic growth and reduce poverty.
This was said by the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Shamsa Mwangunga, during a visit to small scale firm that deals in building materials.
She promised that the government would ensure that it enabled local investors and create a conducive environment for investment.
The minister said the government recognizes the contribution of such companies towards the economy of this country.
This, if implemented will go a long way in developing this country by boosting the economy and address the problem of poverty. But, instead of running loosing battles with vendors, the government should devise ways to support these entrepreneurs who are striving to eke a living.
The government and city fathers should designate strategic places where the vendors will have easy access to customers because at the moment they invade areas such as Kariakoo because they are strategic because they get more customers.
These traders also need financial support to develop their businesses. Once tense businesses expand, then they will be forced out of the streets as they will look for more secure places to do business.
It is vital, therefore, that support is extended to the informal sector, and a move that will go a long way in solving the problem of informal traders on the streets while on the other hand will help to keep the streets clean. Failure to do so, Dar es Salaam will remain an eyesore.
Ends.