Despite
the environment being not conducive, many vendors feel comfortable to be on the
streets regardless of the season, for them it’s the best way to attract a customer.
Kitwe,
Livingstone and Lusaka have the highest Number of street vendors according to statistics.
This has left Markets into white elephants with Kitwe’s newly constructed Nakadoli
Market being a perfect example.
In
Kitwe, Chisokene Market the largest on the Copperbelt has partially been left
empty as most marketeers prefer to be on the streets than in the market. A
survey shows most stands in the market empty.
This
has resulted in Local Authorities being on the losing end in the collection of
revenue as levying street vendors has been a challenge in most council across
the country.
Should
Street Vendors pay Levy?
Most
street vendors have complained that council officials have been levying but not
in a formal manner. One important fact is that they (vendors) have admitted contributing
to the accumulation of waste in various towns.
The
Kitwe City Council has engaged street vendor’s leadership to find ways of how
they can start levying.
City
Council Public Relations Manager Dorothy Sampa said vendors are in business and
have been contributing to the accumulation of waste in the city.
“We
are in talks with street vendors’ leadership whilst making consultations with
relevant stakeholders on how best we can maximise the collection of revenue” Mr
Sampa said.
After
this what next? Check on the blog as I catch up with street vendors and get
their opinions in my next write up.
