The official ceremony launching the reconstruction works of the new main building of the big market
of Lomé took place, on its site. Chaired by the head of the National Assembly, Ms.
Yawa Djigbodi Tségan, representing the Head of State, this ceremony was attended by members of the
government, various other personalities and a jubilant crowd, mainly shopkeepers
of the said market, who have hitherto suffered the consequences of this fire. For a total amount of
11,489,994,484 FCFA, entirely financed by the Togolese State, this project will make it possible to strengthen the
beneficiaries in their activities.
The tragedy characterized by the fire in the large market of Lomé, which occurred on the night of January 11 to 12
2013, remains engraved in the memory of the Togolese. To erase this pain and ease the sorrows of
traders, the Togolese government has included, among the priority actions for major works, the project
the reconstruction of the large Lomé market (Adawlato market). It is for this purpose that the first stone
setting the tone for the start of the work was asked yesterday by the President of the National Assembly Mrs.
Yawa Djigbodi Tsegan.
The project aims to restore a framework conducive to commercial activities with a view to reviving the economy and
improving the living conditions of traders. Thus, the new building, which
will be built on the same site, will cover a total area of 8,656 m2. The works, planned in
a period of 18 months, are characterized by the construction of a four-storey commercial-type building
(R+4). The work consists of site installation, earthworks, major works (foundation,
masonry and concrete), roads and networks under structures and waterproofing. Other achievements are, among
others, telephony, plumbing, air conditioning, the elevator and the fire network. This building will be
made up of 175 shops, 107 wholesalers, 894 kiosks and 105 stalls distributed from the ground floor
up to the 4th floor.
The Grand Marché of Lomé, the commercial heart of Togo
On the occasion, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Mrs. Zouréhatou Kassah-Traoré, testified
its deep gratitude for the efforts made by the Head of State, who accompanies the hardworking
men and women traders in their economic and commercial activities, by giving them
modern infrastructure. She deplored these fires which ravaged the markets of Lomé and Kara,
dealing a heavy blow to traders. Minister Kassah-Traoré paid tribute to enterprising women
"Nana-Benz" traders, who have left their mark on the large Lomé market, called
commonly "Besieged".
“The first fabric sellers, pioneers of the profession, began in the years
1940-1950 to import fabrics from Ghana, and then offered to market their own
models to trading houses established in Togo, such as the British GB Ollivant, USA or John
Hold, or the French SGGG, CFAO or SCOA. These businesswomen built, in the 1970s and
1980, a textile empire that spans all of West Africa,” said Minister Kassah-Traoré.
But, she added, in the face of globalization experienced as a crisis, the Nana-Benzes have set in motion a process
modernization reagent, allowing them to ensure their sustainability and existence. It is in this resilience
adaptation of these women's dynamics to support the government in its efforts to revive
growth caused by this serious fire. Also, she welcomed this promise of the Head of State who
concretized.
For her part, the president of the merchants of the Grand Adawlato market, Mrs. Rose Créppy, expressed
his gratitude to the President of the Republic for this initiative. She noted that this market made the
pride and influence of Togo. She invited all traders to support the Head of State in his policy. Mrs. Créppy expressed the wish that this work be carried out within the time frame set for
allow traders to flourish.
In addition, Mrs. Susanne Lawson and Mrs. Kodjo Lèguèdè, resellers of loincloths, said they were overwhelmed with
joy for this initiative. Like the others, they asked themselves the question of what they were going to become
after the market was ravaged by fire. "People have told us that the space was sold by
the state, but today the truth is there. Our wish is to meet again in 18 months to inaugurate this
market," Ms. Lawson said.
They also thanked the Head of State and the government for the arrangements made to
to ensure the moral and psychological support of the victims, and for the identification of the persons
affected and the valuation of damaged property, the payment of aid granted as well as the relocation of
victims to continue their activities in the administrative reserve of Agbadahonou, in Lomé.