The Ministry for Natural resources and Tourism has donated 100
million/- to traders selling curios and traditional artifacts at the
Maasai Art and Craft Market in Arusha, an outfit which was reduced to
ashes four months ago.
The donation came as blessing to the traders who are struggling to rebuild the tourists' shopping bazaar a project that is estimated to require over 300 million/. If the money is made available in good time business will kick off before mid this year.
The donation came as blessing to the traders who are struggling to rebuild the tourists' shopping bazaar a project that is estimated to require over 300 million/. If the money is made available in good time business will kick off before mid this year.
Rebuilt
Maasai Art
Market
also known
as MountMeru Curios Crafts Market along Fire
Road. (Photo by Raymond John).
Shortly after visiting the ongoing reconstruction
of the tourist marketplace last week the Minister for Natural
resources and Tourism, Mr Lazaro Nyalandu told the affected traders
that the government, was concerned with their predicament, especially
because the curio center was among important urban tourists attractions
which also promoted cultural heritage.
The 100 million/- from the government was granted
to the Maasai Market traders through the Tanzania National Parks
(TANAPA) management. The money is to assist with the ongoing building
project.
The Minister said the donation was made due to the high contribution that the Maasai Curio Market offered in boosting the tourism industry.
So far the project has been executed to the tune of 150 million/- for initial construction, the TANAPA donation will help in the second phase after which 50 million/- will again be needed to complete the whole complex.
The new Masai market is now being upgraded with better and permanent structures.
Mama Magreth Minja, a mother of five who trades traditional ornaments at the center, expressed gratitude saying, she raised up all her children through the business and being jobless for four months was adversely affecting her family's income.
Another trader, Mr Juma Khamis said they had initially given up hope because everything went up in flames, but now that the market was being rebuilt, he will start raising capital ready to resume business.
The curio stalls and art galleries making up the famous Arusha Tourist market, are located along Fire Road. These went up in flames last November reducing all buildings to debris and sending nearly 2000 operators out into the streets empty handed.
The establishment was the city’s one-stop shopping center for gifts, curios, gemstone minerals and traditional clothing for foreigners especially tourists who visit the Northern Circuit strips striding Arusha, Manyara and Kilimanjaro.
The night fire left behind piles of debris, ashes and a rather large empty space of what used to be a vibrant shopping precinct for international visitors. It took the fire brigade two hours to get to the scene even though their station is located about 50 meters from the burnt market.
The Minister said the donation was made due to the high contribution that the Maasai Curio Market offered in boosting the tourism industry.
So far the project has been executed to the tune of 150 million/- for initial construction, the TANAPA donation will help in the second phase after which 50 million/- will again be needed to complete the whole complex.
The new Masai market is now being upgraded with better and permanent structures.
Mama Magreth Minja, a mother of five who trades traditional ornaments at the center, expressed gratitude saying, she raised up all her children through the business and being jobless for four months was adversely affecting her family's income.
Another trader, Mr Juma Khamis said they had initially given up hope because everything went up in flames, but now that the market was being rebuilt, he will start raising capital ready to resume business.
The curio stalls and art galleries making up the famous Arusha Tourist market, are located along Fire Road. These went up in flames last November reducing all buildings to debris and sending nearly 2000 operators out into the streets empty handed.
The establishment was the city’s one-stop shopping center for gifts, curios, gemstone minerals and traditional clothing for foreigners especially tourists who visit the Northern Circuit strips striding Arusha, Manyara and Kilimanjaro.
The night fire left behind piles of debris, ashes and a rather large empty space of what used to be a vibrant shopping precinct for international visitors. It took the fire brigade two hours to get to the scene even though their station is located about 50 meters from the burnt market.
The Chairman for the Arusha Tourist Market Mr Mussa Kahulula said the fire broke out in the middle of the night.
It is estimated that the total loss from the night fire so far was in the range of 8.5 billion/- as far as cumulative operating capitals are concerned with each stall said to yield over 2 million/- per day, when it comes to sales. The shops also held in addition to stocks of curious, clothing, minerals that were being stored in the area.
It is estimated that the total loss from the night fire so far was in the range of 8.5 billion/- as far as cumulative operating capitals are concerned with each stall said to yield over 2 million/- per day, when it comes to sales. The shops also held in addition to stocks of curious, clothing, minerals that were being stored in the area.
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