The construction of the Etoudi Market in Yaounde that started last March is being slowed down by the continuous presence of traders at the site. According to a technical adviser at the Yaounde City Council (CUY), the problem with the pace of work on the market has been the presence of traders on the site who continue to sell; thereby leaving little space for the construction workers to work freely.
Even though the traders appreciate the construction of the market, they complain their sales have dropped as they have lost many customers who cannot locate them in the scattered market. They further expressed fear about losing out in the prices they offer because of change of location.
However, the construction of Etoudi Market by the Yaounde City Council is continuing in a calm and serene atmosphere. Work has been divided into sectors, headed by site managers who lead teams of labourers and technicians. A sector comprises about 8 to 24 shops for construction. The new market will be made up of at least 15 storey buildings to house about 1,500 sheds and 600 shops, said the technical adviser to the Government Delegate to CUY.
According to Nyemb Jacques, one of the site managers, a deadline has not been fixed for the delivery of work because all parties have to be satisfied; from the sellers who continue to exhibit and sell their goods, to the construction workers and City Council.
Upon completion, traders of the Etoudi Market will have to be counted, registered and pay FCFA 1 million in two years to rent a shop. For the sheds, the price will depend on the dimension or the space to be occupied by each trader. The shops are mainly for existing traders and measures have been taken to ensure they are served when time comes. .
