STAFF VISIT TO SALAGA YAM MARKET
On Monday, 13th October, 2025, a team of the Assembly, comprising staff from; Central Admin, Budget and Finance, visited the local yam market (under the instruction of Hon. MCE), to understand the concerns of the women traders and gather information on why their activities are capable of collapsing the newly established yam market, located on the Salaga – Makango road and to sensitize traders on the need for revenue payments.
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– Observations: we observed the market dynamics, noting the volume of traders, customers and the overall condition of the market’s infrastructure.
– Interviews: we conducted informal interviews with several traders, asking about their concerns and reasons for wanting to collapse the market.
– Discussions: we held discussions with the yam market Queen with other leaders and stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of the issues.
Key Findings
– Poor Market Infrastructure: Traders expressed dissatisfaction with the poor state of the market infrastructure, including inadequate storage facilities, poor sanitation, and lack of basic amenities at the new yam market.
– High Taxes and Levies: Traders complained about the high taxes and levies imposed on them, which they feel are unsustainable and are affecting their businesses.
– Lack of Support: Traders felt that they do not receive adequate support from relevant authorities, including access to credit facilities, market information, and trainings to maximize profit.
– Competition from Large-Scale Farmers: Some traders mentioned that they are struggling to compete with large-scale business men who pound on any amount of yam that will enter the market and sell to them at very high prices.
Recommendations
– Infrastructure Upgrade: Management of the Assembly should take interest on the upgrade of market infrastructure to provide a clean, safe, and efficient trading environment.
– Tax Review: the interim leadership of the yam market should review taxation policies to ensure they are fair and sustainable for the traders.
– Support Services: Support services be extended to the traders, including access to credit facilities, market information, and trainings on how to stay in business.
– Stakeholder Engagement: an emergency engage session be organized, latest by Thursday, 16th October, 2025, with traders and other stakeholders to ensure their concerns are properly heard and addressed.
In conclusion, our observation indicated that the women traders at the yam market are facing significant challenges that are affecting their businesses and livelihoods and to address those concerns, it is essential to improve market infrastructure, review taxation policies by leadership of the market, provide support to traders and promote fair competition with the large scale buyers
