Mabibo market clears drain ahead of rains

DAR ES SALAAM: THE management of Mabibo wholesale food market, popularly known as ‘Mahakama ya Ndizi’, in Dar es Salaam has cleared and unblocked internal and external drainage systems to minimise flooding risks and ensure business operations continue uninterrupted during the rainy season.

The measures follow rainfall forecasts issued by the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA), as market authorities seek to maintain cleanliness, safeguard public health and ensure uninterrupted trading during periods of heavy rainfall.

Mabibo Market Manager, Mr Geofrey Mgonela, said management has held a joint planning meeting with heads of various departments and representatives of Suma JKT, the company contracted to provide environmental sanitation services at the market.

He said the meeting focused on developing a coordinated response to challenges posed by heavy rains, particularly flooding caused by blocked drainage channels.

Mr Mgonela said the exercise involved cleaning drainage systems within the market and clearing external channels responsible for carrying stormwater away from the premises.

“The initial priority was ensuring that every drainage channel situated within the market premises underwent deep cleaning so as to effectively receive and direct water outward safely.

“The second phase involved clearing the main external drainage lines that receive runoff from inside the market, where we systematically removed accumulated solid waste to eliminate blockages and guarantee continuous drainage,” he said.

He explained that the measures were intended to improve water flow and reduce flooding and waterlogging that could threaten traders’ businesses, damage infrastructure and create unhygienic conditions.

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Mr Mgonela said Mabibo Market has approximately 2,452 registered traders operating across six main commercial departments, with the banana section serving as its principal trading area.

He added that the market received more than 10,000 people daily, including retail customers, small-scale grocery traders and wholesale buyers from Dar es Salaam, other parts of Tanzania and neighbouring countries.

Given the large number of people visiting the facility, he said management continued to conduct awareness campaigns on environmental cleanliness, proper waste disposal and safety.

Mr Mgonela urged traders to dispose of waste responsibly and refrain from dumping rubbish into drainage channels, warning that blocked drains could hamper efforts to prevent flooding.

He said two Suma JKT waste collection trucks transported solid waste to designated disposal sites daily, helping to maintain cleanliness within the market.

He also called on traders and members of the public to observe safety precautions at home and at the market, and to follow relevant government guidance on preparedness for the rainy season.