QATIF – Traders at Safwa vegetable market, 10 km north of Qatif city, have urged the municipality to redesign the market's access road to allow supply trucks to bring in produce at all times without obstacle. The traders approached Safwa Municipal Chairman Yousuf Al-Maqhawi to request him to allocate funds for improving the market's condition by constructing necessary infrastructure, including roads and lighting. "The chairman has promised that the municipality's technical department would study the matter immediately," said Ameen Al-Ismail, a trader, while speaking to Okaz/Saudi Gazette. Naif Al-Muhaisen, another trader, emphasized the need to construct toilets at the market for the use of traders as well as customers. "The market lacked essential public facilities like toilets from the beginning," he added. Al-Muhaisen said the wrong design of the market's entrance has caused losses to traders as it contributed to damaging fruit and vegetables. Murtada Al-Bishrawi urged the municipality to change the design of the access road. "We want the municipality to construct a road to the market from its northern side as it would help us bring vegetables easily without any obstacles," he explained. Habeeb Al-Bishrawi stressed the need to install enough streetlights in the market while Yousuf Matroud called for refurbish the market for the benefit of traders as well as customers. "Changing the market's entrance would have a big impact," he added. Ahmed Al-Saeed believes that changing the entrance would create more parking space and help traders attract more customers. "It will also reduce traffic congestion." Al-Saeed urged the municipality to take punitive action against street vendors who sell vegetables in front of the market. "These vendors are mostly illegal expats who violate residency regulations."
