BY ELIZABETH JOHN – TORIT
Vendors at Hai Mission–Hatire Road small market are calling on the Torit Municipal Council to construct pit latrines and rubbish pits to improve hygiene and sanitation at the market.
Mrs. Mary Achol, a vendor selling groundnut paste, sorghum, and bananas, said traders face sanitation challenges due to open defecation by people coming from nearby villages to sell vegetables.
She said the lack of latrines exposes vendors and customers to health risks.
“We are doing business to support our children, even though we face many challenges. Sometimes we sell nothing from morning to sunset. We clean the market, but the main problem is the lack of latrines. Some people coming from villages defecate around the market, forcing us to clean and bury feces, which is very unhealthy.”
Another vendor, Mrs. Fiona Likiya, appealed to municipal authorities to construct latrines and open drainage channels to prevent flooding and bad smells, especially during the rainy season.
“During the rainy season, water flows heavily and the market becomes very dirty. Sometimes it smells of feces because there is no latrine or place to bathe. If the government constructs latrines and water channels, it will help us sell in a clean and healthy environment.”
Meanwhile, another vendor identified as Josephine advised traders to cooperate with nearby households to maintain hygiene around the market.
“Those coming from villages should sell with discipline. A market should not have feces around. They should respect themselves and look for nearby homes to help themselves.”
The speakers made their remarks to Radio Emmanuel during interviews at Hai Mission Market, locally known as Suk Tankar, on Wednesday.