By Abdoulai Daffeh
Market vendors at Serekunda Market have raised concerns over worsening sanitary conditions and flooding during the rainy season, saying the situation is causing significant financial losses.
Binta Sanyang, a vendor at the market, said the facility faces serious challenges every rainy season, particularly due to the absence of an adequate drainage system.
She said heavy rainfall frequently causes flooding at the market, while inconsistent waste collection further worsens the sanitary conditions, with garbage sometimes left uncollected for two to three days.
The vendors said they pay daily duties whenever they report to the market, regardless of whether they make any sales, but complained that the facility is not adequately maintained by the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC).
They criticised the department responsible for waste collection under the KMC and called on Mayor Talib Bensouda to take urgent measures to address the flooding and sanitation problems.
The vendors said they expected the mayor to improve conditions at the market, warning that the issue could influence their voting decisions in future elections.
Isatou Jobarteh, another vendor, said the market becomes flooded whenever it rains, while the poor sanitary conditions further discourage customers from visiting.
She said some customers avoid entering the market to make purchases because of the unhygienic environment, preferring instead to buy from vendors operating outside the market stalls.
Jobarteh urged KMC authorities to intervene and ensure that the market is kept clean and free from flooding.
The vendors also expressed their intention to support what they described as positive change in the upcoming elections, saying their votes should reflect their needs and should not be taken for granted by those in power.
Fulo Sanyang expressed frustration over the D10 daily duty paid by vendors, arguing that the money should contribute to keeping the market clean.
He questioned the purpose of paying the daily fees if the municipality failed to fulfil its responsibilities to the vendors.
Many of the vendors, who said they are primary breadwinners for their families, noted that conducting business under such conditions during the rainy season was becoming increasingly difficult.