Traders complain to new trade minister in Sierra Leone
The newly appointed Minister of Trade and Industry Alhaji Usman Boie Kamara, has advised petty traders in the municipality of Freetown to abide by the law and leave the streets to allow the free flow of traffic.
Alhaji Usman Boie Kamara gave this advice last Wednesday while addressing angry traders who had converged at Victoria Park, central Freetown to express their frustration over the way and manner they have been treated by the activities of Operation WID which has left them without a suitable location to sell their wares.
The Trade and Industry Minister admonished them to exercise patience while the problem of market centres in the city was being sorted out, assuring them that he will do everything in his power to find suitable sites to continue their trading activities.
The Minister said traders are very important in the business sector as they remain at the centre of economic growth of a nation; noting that it is the small enterprises they engage themselves in that brings gradual prosperity and promotes the well-being of the citizens.
Minister of Trade and Industry, Alhaji Usman Boie Kamara
While calling on the traders to remain calm and be law abiding, Alhaji Usu Boie Kamara referred to the 1969 Trade Act which forbids foreigners to engage in retail trade in this country. “We are going to critically look at the Act again for a possible review,” he said, adding that the said Act has been abused over the years by foreign merchants.
Chairman of the Petty Traders Association, commonly known as ‘Chairman Jibo, said they are more than willing to move off the streets as they too are aware of the constraints of both motorists and pedestrians while moving on these roads but equally urged the government to provide suitable market places for the traders.
The traders’ chairman called on the minister to open dialogue with the importers so that the practice whereby they, the petty traders (retailers), compete with importers to sell the same goods is discouraged. “The importers from whom we buy are also allowed to retail. This is unacceptable as we are always on the disadvantage end of the bargain,” Chairman Jibo, complained, and called on the government to implement the 1969 Trade Act without further delay.
He thanked the minister putting aside his busy schedule to listen to their grievances, adding that he is the first trade minister to witness their meeting and gave useful advice.
He expressed the hope that the Alhaji Usu Boie Kamara will bring his vast wealth of experience to bear on the operation of the ministry for the good of the country.
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