The new Sewa Market , with the plaque
Group photograph and President Bio explaining a point to NASSIT DG, Fouad Dabor, with NASSIT consultant, Abel Onomake on the right
By Abubakar Hashim
World Trade Organisation WTO certified trade center, Sewa Market, was commissioned today by President Julius Maada Bio.
Located in the heart of central Freetown, a stone’s throw from the State House, the newly completed facility comprises a car park and a wide rage of ancillary amenities, including 176 toilets, water towers, daycare centre, fire force, police posts, fire extinguishers, 76 large and medium lockup shops, 277 small shops and 170 district shops.
Constructed by the country’s National Social Security and Insurance Trust NASSIT, with professional management consulting by Ideas Limited, the project represents a major development in tackling street trading menace in the capital city of Freetown
The new ultra modern market is equipped with 24 hour security, CCTV cameras, day and night guards.
In his keynote address, President Bio expressed gratitude to NASSIT, for actualising a long overdue but yet another human capital driven development in the trade sector.
Inherited by his government, Bio commended small businesses, that constitute over 60% of the trading sector, contributing a significant portion to the country’s economy. He disclosed the establishment of a pensions scheme for this sector, that includes petty traders, bike and commercial drivers.
The climax of the occasion is the President’s reduction to 6,000 Leones, from the original 12,000 Leones stall rentage by NASSIT. President Bio further remarked that the cost will remain the same, with no increase, till the end of his tenure in 2028, to fully support business growth.
Sewa market is rated by WTO as compliant and one of the best in the West African sub region.
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