The fish trade in Bor, South Sudan, is thriving.
Much of it, according to local traders and authorities has to do with the construction of the Bor fish market in 2016 by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) under its Quick Impact Projects (QIP) programme, which are designed to address urgent public needs.
“This project has been invaluable for the community,” says state Minister of Fisheries and Animal Resources, Chuol Diu Teny. “The market is well-designed and comfortable for traders, including women, to ply their wares and, equally, community members can purchase fish as well as other necessities in clean, hygienic surroundings.”
However, six years after the initial construction, there has been significant wear and tear, that Minister Teny, is requesting the UN Peacekeeping mission to rehabilitate the structure.
“The economic benefits from the market are indisputable; however, the ravages of time and repeated floods are obvious and we would appreciate if UNMISS would consider doing some much-needed repairs so that the Bor fish market can continue to fully service communities,” stated the Minister passionately.
Local women who regularly sell their wares at the market expressed their appreciation of the benefits the market has provided them
“For years we have been selling in the open air. During the dry season, it is extremely hot, and our fish would rapidly become stale. We would lose a lot of money. Similarly, during the rainy season, it was impossible for us to continue trading. But when UNMISS constructed this market for us, we had a roof over our heads, and kept our produce and fish fresh to be able to satisfy our customers,” revealed Mary Achol, a local fish seller.
The current market accommodates some 50 traders near the Bor port along the river Nile. It was built using permanent concrete blocks and iron sheets to ensure its sustainability in the long-term.
The project was implemented on behalf of UNMISS by the Humanitarian Consortium for Development (HDC), a nongovernmental organization based in Bor.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
