Rental rates a bargain – City of Windhoek
Yolanda NelWhile informal markets create work opportunities and generate an income, it comes at a price.
“All developments come along with a cost responsibility,” says Lydia Amutenya, public relations officer of the City of Windhoek (CoW) about the increase in rental fees of the Windhoek flea market situated under the bridge at Wernhil Park.
She says the rental fee increase from N$55 to N$515 a month was implemented because the City has to maintain the market. The set up in which the vendors were operating in was not favourable and needed to be updated.
“I think the vendors should be grateful of the gesture by the two entities,” she said referring to the partnership between the CoW and the shopping centre management.
Upgradings of N$4.3 million began in February last year and were completed in January 2017.
According to Amutenya, the rental tariffs at the city market were determined with due consideration to what the traders can afford, as well as the rental tariffs approved at the other market.
“Given that they are located at a strategic spot in the central business district and with the facilities that have been provided to them, rental remains a bargain,” she said, noting that the fees are much lower than the market-related rental rates for similar stalls and facilities in the CBD.
Windhoek Express reported last week that rental fees for the stalls increased by more than 800% while most traders make a profit of around N$1 200 a month.
Amutenya said that the new rental fees are necessary to help cover the cost of essential services such as cleaning, security and maintenance. She said that fees at other markets will also be reconsidered.
In reaction to vendors complaining about a lack of water and electricity, Amutenya said that the market is not yet fully operational. “There was no cost related to water, and electricity was included in the rental fee as the traders are expected to take full responsibility for these charges,” she said.
The City already installed separate water meters to determine water consumption at each of the seven lockable stalls. Electricity provision will also be provided accordingly.