THE Kitwe City Council has extended the ultimatum for relocation of wholesale traders from the sprawling Chisokone Market to the newly-constructed Nakadoli to Monday next week.

The extension of the ultimatum comes after the wholesale traders defied the July 2, 2012 deadline given to them by the council to shift to Nakadoli, which had been designated as the only wholesale trading point in the city.

According to the latest public notice, the council maintained its decision to designate Nakadoli in Chimwemwe Township as the wholesale trading point in the city.

The notice, dated July 4, 2012, signed by Kitwe Town Clerk Bornwell Luanga and addressed to all traders and buyers, stated that the decision to relocate them to Nakadoli Market was still standing.

Based on the notice, all market merchandise which include fruits, eggs, fish, beans, dry cassava, rice, hardware, groceries, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, and onions would be sold from Nakadoli Market with effect from July 16, 2012.

Mr Luanga said the council excused the wholesalers after they defied the July 2 ultimatum because some people were alleging that the local authority had sold Chisokone Market to an investor, a claim he said was not true.

“Nonetheless, the council once again wishes to notify the general public that with effect from Monday, 16 July, 2012 all wholesale traders and buyers currently operating at Chisokone and other markets will be relocated to the new Nakadoli Market,” Mr Luanga said.

He said the decision was aimed at decongesting Chisokone and other markets and to create space for street vendors in markets.

“Note that only wholesale traders and buyers will be relocated to the aforesaid market, where there is security, adequate storage facilities, adequate wholesale selling space and adequate off- loading bay,” Mr Luanga said.

A week ago, Chisokone wholesalers marched to the district commissioner’s office to protest the decision by the council to move them to Nakadoli Market.