Mokolo Market regains steam

Business activities resumed normally in Mokolo Market in the Yaounde II Subdivision on July 5, following the commissioning of the newly elected representatives on Wednesday July 4. The official reopening of the market marked the end of clashes between members of the Committee for the Fight Against Urban Disorder and hawkers, and the restoration of order in the market.

At the Mokolo Market on July 5, the atmosphere was calm. As early as 8:00 a.m, the doors of most of the shops were flung open. Traders could be seen attending to anxious customers who had not been able to shop a week due to the closure ordered by the Senior Divisional Officer for Mfoundi, Jean Claude Tsila. Inside the market, the shops and stalls were well organised according to the different sections.

One of the traders, Angeline Tiwa of Section 4 said she sells mostly fish. She explained that the section is for fish, meat, eggs and food stuff. It is organised and traders respect the rules and regulations. The story however was different for the hawkers. Hawkers as usual were busy selling by the roadside while watching out for members of the anti-disorder committee.

One of the hawkers, Sylvie O., a specialist in manicure and pedicure, could be seen tending to the nails of her customers at her former spot by the roadside. She was still doing business there because there was no space for hawkers in the market yet. Another hawker, Jean Jacques K. carried along his belongings while trying to convince customers to buy them. He said even though there is no space for hawkers for now, those selected to ensure discipline are causing problems for them. "The representatives have been commissioned but it is quite certain that hawkers will not be settled," he said.

The President of the Association of Hawkers in Cameroon (ANESCAM), Oumarou Mboumbou said his association is presently registering the number of hawkers in the market. As at last week, 1,226 hawkers had been registered. "This not up to half of the total number of hawkers in the market," he said. He explained that the new stalls being constructed for hawkers will not accommodate all the hawkers as it has only 400 places. Oumarou Mboumbou expressed the wish that even after the stall for hawkers will be completed, the Yaounde City Council should allow hawkers continue with their activities while looking for more space to accommodate them.