[Director of adminstration for Urban and Metropolitan develoment Mabeya Mogaka (left) with Garissa county commissioner James Kianda.] (Photo/KNA)
The government will rehabilitate Garissa open market at a cost of Sh96 million, director of administration in charge of Urban and Metropolitan Mabeya Mogaka has said.
Mogaka said an evaluation survey by officers from his department on the 1,450 stalls and other works on the facility destroyed by fire on August 10, has been completed.
He said a comprehensive report will be sent to the area county commissioner James Kianda in a week's time and assured that the government will ensure traders displaced during the fire resumes business.
"A three stone fire proof building will be constructed with 1,500 stalls to replace the destroyed facility subject to approval by Garissa county government. The new model will cost Sh1.5 million and take at least three months to procure a contractor", the director said.
He lamented tha lack of budgetary provision may delay the actual works to start.
“The earliest we can start, if we have the funds, is within three months. But, even if it starts, the whole work cannot be done at once because of the huge financial implication. It has to be done in phases,” he noted.