FCC has received several inquiries from traders and the media about the destruction of Trader’s’ stalls in Lumley Market. From our preliminary findings, the demolition was done by the Sierra Leone Police around 4AM today, leaving hundreds of people without a livelihood.
FCC is aware of the challenges that street trading poses on movement of vehicles and pedestrians, which is why we have been working on a citywide Operation Pushback plan in consultation with Traders’ Council, market chair ladies and the Sierra Leone Police. FCC had yesterday informed the Sierra Leone Police that the operation will start tomorrow, Thursday 10th December, 2020. Operation Push Back ensures that traders stay behind an agreed line of the pavement thus allowing the traders to still earn their living whilst freeing up space for the movement of people and vehicles. The Operation is meant to serve as a short term measure even as we continue to support the Ministry of Transport to build the new World Bank funded market at Lumley to house the traders.
It is unfortunate that this morning’s action will be taken by the Sierra Leone Police without informing FCC and FCC had no prior knowledge of the plans to demolish stalls at Lumley market.
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