Are officials turning a blind eye to Manama Central Market vendors' misery?
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Reported by Zahra Ayaz and Ashen Tharaka
Many traders blame Manama Central Market's defective air conditioning on the searing summer heat, which led to huge quantities of fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat rotting, resulting in business loss.
Aside from air conditioning, traders are pointing to other difficulties such as poor hygiene and restrooms that have been under renovation for more than a month. Although the market has been operational for over 40 years, merchants continue to complain about its daily challenges.
"I've seen vendors come and go over the last 30 years because they don't have access to adequate facilities," said Jaffar Abdulnabi Alasfoor, a Bahraini dealer. He stated that his business was suffering as customers move quickly without making purchases and now choose to shop at super and hypermarkets that provide air conditioning.
"The air conditioning has been out of commission for the past six months and according to a technician dispatched by the maintenance company, several AC compressors are broken and need to be repaired. "When contacted, maintenance company officials say they haven't received any orders to repair from the municipality," he added.
"For the past four years, we have pleaded with the authorities to provide us with adequate toilet facilities to put an end to our misery. Many of us hurry to the local mosque's bathroom facilities to answer nature's call, but they are only open during prayer hours, so what about non-Muslim vendors?"
"However, they did begin work on the toilets, but it's been over a month and it's still under construction," he added.
According to a local vendor, "If you walk around the market, you will see half the people are sellers and not customers. We've been talking about all of these concerns for years, yet despite multiple reports in the media, nothing has changed. Given the current state of our market, we are satisfied even if we just sell fruits and vegetables to one customer."
The Capital Trustees Board stated last year that they are working with the Capital Municipal Council to carry out the plans to develop and preserve the Manama Central Market.
They also clarified that 66 air conditioning units are due to be fixed, 44 at the fruit and vegetable market, 11 at the fish market, and 11 at the meat market. However, vendors continue to face a variety of issues and are requesting that the government provide them with access to basic facilities. When will their anguish come to an end?
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