The Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI) office in the Eastern Equatoria State capital, Torit, on Wednesday handed over a new structure housing vegetable stalls to the Torit Municipal Council.
They emphasized the importance of hygiene and sanitation maintenance for vendors selling their green vegetables in a clean environment.
In November of last year, hundreds of residents in Torit celebrated the commencement of construction on a new main market, a project anticipated to significantly improve trading conditions and boost local commerce.
The foundation stone for the facility was laid, with the construction funded by Swiss partners through WPDI. The exact cost of the project has not been disclosed.
Local traders, especially women selling vegetables, described the previous market conditions as challenging and unhygienic.
Mr. David Dagu, Country Director for the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative, stated during the handover that the shelter was constructed to empower women to create jobs for themselves by selling vegetables and sustaining their families.
Dagu reiterated their commitment to sharing resources despite the funding shortages facing their organization.
“As you know, given the challenging world for humanitarian organizations, conditions are tough. However, we will share whatever support we can with you. Building this vegetable shelter is primarily to help you become self-sufficient in your own endeavors, complementing the government’s development agenda and supporting your livelihoods. To those responsible for this shelter, daily maintenance is essential to ensure it operates effectively and serves as an example for others in the town,” Dagu said.
Mr. Oyito Baptist, Mayor of the Torit Municipal Council, encouraged vendors in the market to cultivate a variety of green vegetables to supply and sell at the new clean shelter. He stressed the need for maintaining hygiene and sanitation in the new Torit vegetable market to ensure consumers can purchase clean and safe vegetables.
“It’s not just about practicing subsistence farming; we want to shift towards commercial farming. We will no longer need to transport fresh vegetables from elsewhere into Torit; we should grow our own and sell them here. For example, tomatoes, bananas, lemons, and peppers can be cultivated along the banks of the Hinatie River. Men should not just idle under trees while women bring vegetables to sell; you should engage in cultivation as women enter the market to support the family. This market is meant for all, and if you find someone already occupying a spot, place your vegetables down. We will continue to build the market to accommodate everyone. It is vital to keep the area clean; if it becomes dirty, it is your responsibility to clean it. The Swiss agency will complete the project by fencing the vegetable market shelter,” stated Mayor Oyito.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Abau Malak, a vegetable seller in the Torit main market, spoke on behalf of over 245 vegetable vendors.
She expressed gratitude to WPDI and the Swiss agency for their cooperation in constructing the Torit vegetable market, which will allow them to sell green vegetables in a clean and safe environment, reducing the risk of disease.
Mrs. Malak appealed to the Whitaker Organization and Torit Municipal Authority to construct another shelter to accommodate all green vegetable sellers in the Torit main market.
“I would like to thank the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative for building the vegetable shelter where we can now place our greens. However, we kindly request that another shelter be constructed for all vegetables to ensure hygiene, as we are tired of dirty environments. This space is for all of us; we should not individualize tables inside the shelter, as it leaves no room for others to sell their products,” she said.