The visit was to assess the level of work so far done on the multi-million US dollar project as well as to ascertain whether the structure under construction is in line with the design and investment of the Trust.
Touring the entire facilities with dignitaries, the Head of Facility Management at NASSIT, Gerald Caulker explained the design of the buildings which have facilities for banking, stores, a day care, pharmacies, and office and car parking spaces among other facilities.
The Director General of NASSIT, Mohamed Fouad Daboh, commended the contractors MKD Jazz and Engineers for the work done so far. He thanked them for living up to expectation and not disappointing NASSIT.
He expressed his appreciation for the ramp facility throughout the entire complex which gives access to disable persons to move within the facility without hindrance.
Responding to questions as to whether the average trader will be able to afford a store upon completion, Director Daboh, said that the need for NASSIT investments will be meaningless if the average Sierra Leonean cannot access it. He added that if traders are to move off from the streets, then it would be in place for them to be able to afford to pay rent for a store at the new market facility.
He said: “The Mayor has been pushing for the completion of this market since I assumed leadership at NASSIT. That shows her urge to transform the city into a modern one by having such a market facility. It will be a one-stop point where every goods and services will be available”, he added.
The Minister of Labor Adekunle King commended the engineers for judiciously utilizing the available land to construct a multi-purpose complex with lots of facilities. He however expressed his concern over the non- provision of lift facilities to facilitate easy movement of people within the different parts of the complex. This concern was noted by Gerald Caulker.
Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, said if Freetown is to be transformed to a modern city, traders must be located to a suitable place. She said: “After touring the complex, I am delighted to state that there are provisions to access each and every facility by young, elderly and disables. I hope that our observations and comments will be fully considered by the engineers as I really want to see the completion of this project so that our traders will finally settle in a decent environment.”
