By Sulaiman Jalloh

In a transformative step to support market women facing harsh trading conditions, Vice President Dr. Mohammed Juldeh Jalloh officially opened the Kombra Market in Devil Hole, Waterloo, on thursday, August 28, 2025. Constructed by the China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG) under the Vice President’s supervision, the market provides a safe, weather-resistant space for traders,

During the inauguration, Dr. Jalloh urged the community to maintain the facility, stating, This market is yours to protect and sustain for future generations. He expressed gratitude to CRSG and local stakeholders for their support, noting that the Kombra Project includes a new school, another market at Calaba Town, and a store operated by PC and Sons offering interest-free loans to women traders. These initiatives aim to empower women economically, aligning with efforts to address 38% child malnutrition and systemic issues like the Feed Salone initiative’s failures. Dr. Jalloh also committed to installing solar lights for 24-hour market operations and completing a local health facility to tackle urgent needs, such as labor-related deaths highlighted by community leaders.

Joseph Johnson, project coordinator, traced the initiative’s origins to collaboration with eight zonal chairmen, praising Dr. Jalloh’s leadership in driving the Kombra Project. Village head James Osman Brown called the opening a historic moment for Devil Hole, crediting stakeholders and recent electricity extensions while advocating for further development. Chairlady Kadiatu Mansaray expressed gratitude for the market and appealed for additional financial support to bolster women traders’ resilience.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 3rd September, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)