Dar es Salaam. Temeke Municipal Council has launched plans to build a modern multi-storey market and a new bus stand as part of efforts to move traders away from hazardous areas, including those along the Tazama pipeline.
Temeke District Commissioner Sixtus Mapunda said traders operating in these zones endanger both citizens and property. He added that the government, working with the council, is taking steps to provide safer, official spaces for traders.
“The main goal is to improve the business environment by providing safe infrastructure that meets current needs,” he said, noting that implementation has already begun in nearby areas.
Mr Mapunda explained that the council will strictly supervise the project to ensure timely completion and benefit for the community. “These areas are hazardous, so we are building multi-storey markets to move traders to safe locations,” he said, adding that no specific timeline has been set for relocation.
Temeke Municipal Executive Director Jomaary Satura said the council has advertised the tender for a large modern market in Mbagala, which will include multiple rooms for petty traders, known locally as machinga. The project aims to create economic opportunities for local youth while accommodating many traders at once.
However, Mr Satura noted that some traders continue to avoid official markets despite existing facilities at Zakheim, Mbagala and Kambochea, citing customer habits as a reason for staying in hazardous zones. He said the new market, to be built on a three-hectare plot near Chamazi, is expected to resolve this challenge.
Dar es Salaam Mayor Nurdin Bilal also acknowledged the problem and said the city is working with councils to identify safe sites for trading activities.
Ukonga MP Bakari Shingo stressed the government’s role in creating jobs and safe business environments. He said many youth in his constituency face unemployment and highlighted the risks of continuing operations in unsafe areas.
“Hardship does not have manners. Those staying in the reserve know the dangers, but if you intervene, they ask where they will go. We are working to find a permanent market site for Gongolamboto traders to avoid community losses,” he said.
Mr Shingo emphasised that while politicians may have contributed to past challenges, experts and council officials remain responsible for enforcing the law. “Accountability is key. Projects fail when officials fail to perform their duties, regardless of political influence,” he said.
Dar es Salaam Regional Administrative Secretary Abdul Mhite said he is aware of the risks for traders and customers in the area and pledged to follow up to identify solutions.
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