2023-12-14 23:05:02
The Congolese Ministry in charge of Decentralization is carrying out an operation in conjunction with the municipalities of large cities called “let’s keep our cities clean”. In Brazzaville, it involves clearing out makeshift markets and clearing the sidewalks. At the risk of plunging young informal sellers into poverty.
From our correspondent in Brazzaville,
We are in front of the Total market, the largest and most modern in Brazzaville. But the merchants who displayed food products, cosmetics and other second-hand goods on the crowded sidewalks of the former avenue de l’OUA were chased away. Traffic is fluid. But Prince, an unemployed student, is furious. He returned to a corner to sell rubber sandals to passers-by. “ It’s not a good thing (to leave) because the country doesn’t offer jobs. In Congo, we don’t have jobs, but the Etat chases us once more to the side of the main track. Where are we going to go? The only job left here is the army. Getting the files in for integration into the army is also a problem. We went to school, but in the end, they didn’t give us the job », he complains.
The young Prince defends his informal work, which allows him to meet his needs. “We do good business, we don’t make a mess. VSThat’s fine, my little turnover. With my little job (selling articles) I can’t envy a civil servant. I’m getting by, that’s the main thing for me“, he says.
“It’s a loss of earnings”
The indefinite “let’s keep our cities clean” operation is raising eyebrows, including among informal sector clients: “It must be said that for sellers and buyers, this is quite a problem. It’s a loss of earnings. We, the buyers, don’t know where to find the merchants», Analyzes a user.
Those who fled are seeking to resume their activities. “My complaint is, if that’s what they want, let them show us where to go and sell. There are no places where we can go; not even in the market. The town hall has not planned anything. They are chasing people away», laments a merchant.
«It’s regarding talking regarding reorganization»
A testimony undermined by the Minister in charge of Decentralization, Juste Désiré Mondélé: “It is not a question of talking regarding compensation as such. It’s regarding talking regarding reorganization, especially since evicted people or traders are returning to state markets. According to the feedback or testimonies we have, many have already occupied the stalls in the state markets with ease in the practice of their trade. Goods are no longer spread out on the ground. This also impacts their turnover.“, he said.
In Congo-Brazzaville, it is established that the informal economy employs more than the public sector and the private sector, i.e. 73,000 jobs in 2023, according to the government.
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