New open markets at Omuthiya nearing completion

Street vendors at Omuthiya will no longer be trading their goods in the open space along the main road, as the town council has constructed new open markets, which will be completed before the end of this year.

The Omuthiya Town Council during the 2022/23 financial year embarked on constructing the new open markets.

Council spokesperson Otilie Shingenge in a press statement says construction is at an advanced stage.

“The idea was borne with the purpose to develop and formalise the open markets to be in a fairly standard state, not only for local people but also for visitors, tourists and potential foreign investors. The new open markets are strategically located, facing the B1 main road and Okaale Complex shopping centre, respectively,” she says.

Once completed, the facility is said to bring all Informal traders together at one formalised area, where they will be selling their goods in a more hygienic and conducive environment.

The second phase of the new open markets was constructed at an amount of N$3 million.

The old Omuthiya trading area has been there since 1990, long before Omuthiya was proclaimed as a town in 2007.

The new open market will accommodate about 500 vendors once completed.

The vendors mostly sell agricultural produce and traditional items, and target those travelling beyond the veterinary cordon fence, or redline, and local residents.