By Norbert Mao
The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Equal Opportunities, Catherine Lamwaka, has raised concern over the poor sanitation conditions at Gulu Main Market, calling on Gulu City Council to take immediate action to improve the facilities.
Lamwaka made the call on Tuesday during a visit to the market by the Parliamentary Committee on Equal Opportunities as part of its follow-up on the implementation of government programs in Gulu City and Gulu District.
During the inspection, Lamwaka observed that the toilet facilities at the market are in poor condition and do not provide what she described as a safe and dignified environment for traders and customers.
Lamwaka also found that male and female traders and customers are sharing toilet facilities, with no adequate separation between facilities for men and women saying the situation is inappropriate for a busy public market that serves a large number of people every day.
The committee was further informed that several toilets at the market have been without running water for between three and four months, raising concerns about hygiene and the ability of users to maintain proper sanitation.
Some of the facilities designated for Persons with Disabilities, PWDs were also found to be non-functional, potentially making it difficult for people with disabilities to access appropriate sanitation services at the market.
Lamwaka has consequently directed Gulu City Council authorities to ensure that separate and functional toilet facilities are provided for men and women and also called on the city authorities to address the lack of water in the toilets and restore the facilities designated for Persons with Disabilities so that they can be safely and conveniently used.
Lamwaka further urged the City Council to strengthen the routine maintenance of public facilities, saying authorities should address sanitation challenges before they deteriorate into bigger problems emphasizing that public facilities should be accessible and usable by everyone, including women, men, customers, traders and Persons with Disabilities.
The concerns come at a time when the Parliamentary Committee on Equal Opportunities is conducting a monitoring exercise in Gulu City and Gulu District to assess the implementation of government programs and establish some of the challenges affecting service delivery.
The committee’s inspection of the market has therefore brought renewed attention to the need for Gulu City Council to improve sanitation, water access and the general condition of public facilities at Gulu Main Market.
