Hundreds of residents in Torit, Eastern Equatoria State, have celebrated the start of construction on a new main market, a project hoped to significantly improve trading conditions and boost local commerce.
The foundation stone was laid on Friday for the facility, which is being built by the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI) with funding from Swiss partners.
The exact cost of the project has not been disclosed.
Local traders, particularly women who sell vegetables, described the current market conditions as difficult and unhygienic.
“We are having many challenges, more especially in the place where we sell, where people parade their products on the dirty ground, which could lead to the spread of diseases,” said businesswoman Mary Luka.
Another trader, Martha Peter, praised the initiative for its potential to empower women and provide economic resilience. “The construction will make us to stand strong with the current crisis where there is no government salary,” she added.
David Daku, the WPDI Country Program Manager, described the project as a “significant milestone” in the organisation’s collaboration with the state government.
He thanked the authorities for providing the land for construction.
Torit Mayor, Oyito Baptist Soforonio, said the market fulfilled a long-held community ambition. “This is what you people have been searching for, you have got it today,” he told the gathered crowd.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Swiss funders and WPDI for facilitating the project, which is expected to provide a dedicated and sanitary trading space for local vendors.