LODWAR- Turkana County Government has moved with speed to close down five shops in Lodwar town following a morning crackdown of unscrupulous traders who are suspected of selling underweight goods to Turkana residents.

Director of Trade, Wilson Ejie has said that the move to close down the shops was as a result of a random spot check exercise which a team of senior government officials undertook to establish the compliance of the standard quantities for pre-packed goods as provided in law.

“The government’s move to close down the five shops is a commitment to continue tracking down a network of transporters and distributors’ cartels in Lodwar that have for a long time supplied underweight goods depriving locals of their right to enjoy standardized goods in the market”. Reiterated Director Ejie.

The closed down shops include; Amal general, Lochua general stores, Lorugum Stores, Lololka Stores and Darusalem, and Ejie says the shops will remain under key & lock until they have complied with minimum requirements required.

Dubai General Stores was allowed to operate in the afternoon after complying by repackaging the underweight bags to the required standards.

Ejie says Darusalem General Stores will remain closed, the rest will be opened after showing efforts of compliance.

Director Ejiye has reiterated that even though they are not still off the hook as their licenses have been confiscated until the Directorate is fully convinced that the traders have fully complied.

The Trade Director revealed that the Chamber of Commerce and traders in Lodwar unanimously agreed that government takes swift action against all wholesalers and retailers trading on underweight cereal bags in efforts to meet the required quantities and quality.

The meeting, Ejie added, the exercise is meant to regulate wholesale, retail businesses and any illicit trade that is unauthorized by government.

This has happened following the yesterday’s County Government action in impounding a lorry carrying underweight maize bags that is still clamped at the premises of Lands Department.

Director Ejie assures Turkana county residents that wholesalers who will fail to meet the required compliance threshold, that his office will move with speed on November14th 2022 to cancel their business without further delay.

Officers involved in the field spot check included Zillah Mwaloyo (Trade), Lucas Kaituko, Peter Nangiro(Revenue) and Stephen Echoto (Enforcement).

Via Governor’s Press Service.