For 30 years, Hassan Mohamoud Abdi operated his shop in Jowhar’s main market, providing for his family of 10 children. Since the beginning of August, he has been at home after part of the market was demolished by Hirshabelle regional administration to construct a passageway for fire access.

“I started working as a shopkeeper in this market while still a teenager. I raised all my children from the youngest to the eldest from this shop. I had no one else supporting me. If the government saw that we were doing business in the wrong place, it should have relocated us to another place, not just bulldoze our shops and leave us jobless!” he complained.

Hassan’s family is now struggling to get one meal a day, living off money saved by his wife from a women’s local group savings scheme. They used to enjoy three meals a day without any challenges.

His produce is spoiling at home as the authorities have not allocated an alternative venue for him and others evicted to do business.

“The government orders cannot be denied, but they must also understand we have children who depend on us. If they have demolished our shops, how do they expect us to provide for our families? Should we become thieves now and steal from people as we have no other option?” he asked.

Unable to raise the $56 monthly school fees for six of his children, he fears they might drop out of school.

“We have been paying taxes to the local government every month, I don’t understand why they demolished our shops without giving us notice or relocating use (…) I feel the decision was made in haste.”

Mohamed Saudi Hussein, whose shop was also demolished, said his family is now depending on his wife’s small profits selling charcoal. She started the charcoal business when his shop was demolished on 20 July using money he had saved. If they make no sales one day, they take food for one evening meal on credit from local stores.

“My shop was enough to pay the family’s daily bills and school fees for my children, including my daughter who studies at university in Mogadishu. As I am speaking to you, I have accumulated debts that I don’t know how I will repay. They should have given us notice, how can you just wake up and order someone’s only source of income to be demolished?” he asked angrily.

Mohamed has been operating his shop in the market for 25 years. He needs to raise $8 each for two children in primary school and his daughter’s university fees of $40 per semester.

Omar Haji Mohamed, the commissioner of Hanti-wadag neighbourhood, told Radio Ergo’s local correspondent that they demolished the market to provide necessary access for fire trucks. He said it was well planned and implemented without targeting specific businesses.

The commissioner said they are renovating the market and everyone including those who used to sell by the roadside would be given stalls once it is completed.

“We have a strategic plan and we are already progressing with the market renovation. The reason why we demolished the shops is to pave way so that in case there is a fire incident as happened in Hargeisa market, the firefighters can easily access. All the affected shopkeepers will be given a stall once we complete the building,” he said.

Source: Radio Ergo