Joseph Isangura
The District Commissioner of Ubungo, Dar Es Salaam Hassan Bomboko made an on-site visit today to address escalating concerns among local traders.
The visit follows reports that traders had shut down their businesses and blocked roads to protest the decision by the Ubungo Municipal Council to allocate the 36,000 square meter area to the Dar Rapid Transit Agency (DART) for constructing a bus rapid transit depot.
Bomboko’s visit aimed to verify the claims that traders, alongside some motorbike taxi operators, were preventing buses from entering the bus station within the market premises. “We came to listen after receiving information that shop owners and some bodaboda riders are blocking the buses. We want to ensure the allegations are accurate,” Bomboko stated.
Addressing another significant concern, Bomboko tackled rumors that the market had been sold to Chinese investors. “The claim that this market has been sold to Chinese investors is new information to me, which I hear from you. That’s why I want to know from the traders which Chinese investor bought this market and which government official announced to the public that this market’s use is being changed,” he said.
The district commissioner emphasized that political agendas might be fueling these unrests. He noted that similar political tensions have emerged in various areas recently. “Seven years ago, this market was equipped with permanent stalls. The owner of this land is the Ubungo Municipal Council. If the Mayor and the Council Chairman have never negotiated with the traders, then other reports are just chaos,” Bomboko affirmed.
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This ongoing conflict underscores the broader tension between development projects and local businesses’ interests. The DART project, critical for improving the city’s public transportation infrastructure, faces opposition from traders who fear displacement and loss of livelihood.
As the situation develops, Bomboko has promised to keep the dialogue open with the traders to reach a mutual understanding. “We are here to ensure that the traders’ concerns are heard and that any decisions made are in the best interest of all parties involved,” he assured.
The Ubungo Municipal Council and DART have yet to release an official statement on the matter. Meanwhile, the traders remain steadfast in their protests, demanding transparency and involvement in decisions affecting their businesses.
