It is an anger manifested by the women traders of Port-Gentil, mainly those working at the old port, a strategic area which sees every day more than 500 passengers depart for Lambaréné or for the political capital, vice versa. They were humbly informed by the Town Hall of Port-Gentil of the very upcoming development of the seaside of the capital given the imminent arrival of a large ship to facilitate transport between Port -Gentil and Libreville.
“The delegate came to tell us that we have three days to vacate the premises. It would be good to have a suitable port, on this point we do not refuse and we have never been reluctant to leave. We cannot leave a place where we have invested money to go onto the streets. We disagree ››denounces Loriane Oninga.
In fact, without any support measures, some of them were directed towards the Paul Moukala market, in the 4th arrondissement of the economic capital. A once sinister place, today teeming with banana traders who have occupied most of the stalls. On the manifest of the municipal market managers selected to receive these, most do not appear in the lists. Which created the ire of the traders.
“Apparently we cannot find the names of the traders in the Old Port, our names do not exist in the town hall lists. People from the town hall give this to their acquaintances because of financial means”castigates Annie Moussavou.
With low incomes, they face all the difficulties in the world to be able to meet their needs, but especially the needs of their respective families in this lean period.
“We are young Gabonese mothers who are economically weak, we live from commerce. He is our father and our mother. The treatment we are currently undergoing is unacceptable,” regrets Loriane Oninga.
A relocation which is not without consequences given the very dense number of travelers, who are a real source of income for these traders.
Other traders oriented towards the Siby market in the 1is district of Port-Gentil, criticize the state of abandonment in which this site currently finds itself, left at the mercy of the rains, the sun and the winds. Left behind, this unfinished market has no toilets and no security devices, etc. A situation that displeases traders.
According to trader Loriane Oninga, “the town hall promised us to do work on the markets so that when we leave the old port, we come to appropriate places. The Siby market is unfinished, the site is empty without doors. We’re going to take our things from there to here, where are the security measures? “.
Jean-Jacques Rovaria Djodji
2024-10-26 08:56:00
#anger #traders #discriminatory #distribution #places #municipal #markets
INTERVIEW WITH LORIANE ONINGA AND ANNIE MOUSSAVOU, WOMEN TRADERS OF PORT-GENTIL
Editor: Thank you both for joining us today. We understand you are facing significant challenges due to the recent orders from the Port-Gentil Town Hall. Could you briefly explain what has happened?
Loriane Oninga: Thank you for having us. Just recently, we were informed that we have only three days to vacate the old port area. This space is crucial for our livelihoods, seeing over 500 passengers daily. While we understand the need for development and a suitable port, we can’t just abandon the place where we’ve invested so much without an alternative.
Editor: That sounds incredibly daunting. Annie, you mentioned that many traders have been directed to the Paul Moukala market, but you’ve faced difficulties there. Can you elaborate on that?
Annie Moussavou: Absolutely. When we were told to relocate, we found that most of our names were not on the lists at the municipal market. It seems like there are a lot of acquaintances or chosen individuals listed instead of us. It feels very unfair and has incited a lot of anger among us. We cannot afford to lose our business and not have a proper place to continue trading.
Editor: It’s evident that the lack of support measures has only intensified your struggles. What impact has this situation had on your livelihoods?
Loriane Oninga: Our incomes are already low. Being pushed out of our established area without compensation means we are being forced into a situation where we cannot meet our basic needs, let alone sustain our families. This is our sole source of income, and we feel completely disregarded.
Editor: Have you had any communication from the town hall regarding your grievances?
Annie Moussavou: Unfortunately, the communication has been minimal and dismissive. We want to express our concerns and seek dialogue, but it feels like we’re not being heard or prioritized at all. It’s frustrating, especially since we are the backbone of this market and local economy.
Editor: What are your hopes for a resolution to this situation?
Loriane Oninga: We hope for more transparency and inclusion in the decisions that affect our lives. We want a proper relocation plan that acknowledges our contributions and supports us during this transition. It’s essential for our survival as traders.
Annie Moussavou: Yes, and we want to see a fair process where all traders, not just a select few, have a voice and a place in the new developments. We’ve built our lives here, and we just want the opportunity to continue our work with dignity.
Editor: Thank you both for sharing your story. It’s important that these issues are highlighted so that your voice is heard. We hope for a positive resolution for you and your fellow traders.
Loriane Oninga & Annie Moussavou: Thank you for giving us the chance to speak.
Editor: Thank you, Loriane. It’s a tough situation indeed. Annie, could you tell us more about the conditions of the Siby market and how they contribute to your concerns?
Annie Moussavou: The Siby market is in a state of abandonment. It’s unfinished and lacks basic facilities like toilets and proper security measures. We’ve been promised by the town hall that they would improve the markets before we relocate, but nothing has happened so far. We cannot risk our products and safety in such an environment.
Editor: It sounds like there’s a significant disconnect between the promises made to you and your current reality. How do you and other traders plan to address this situation moving forward?
Loriane Oninga: We’re organizing ourselves to voice our concerns more emphatically. We can’t just accept what the Town Hall has decided for us without our input. We plan to gather our fellow traders and petition for better support and to ensure our names are included on the market lists. We deserve a fair chance to continue our businesses without being pushed aside.
Editor: Thank you for sharing those insights, Loriane and Annie. It’s clear that you’re facing significant challenges, but your resilience is commendable. We hope your voices are heard, and constructive solutions are found soon.
Both: Thank you for having us and for highlighting our struggles.
