Local Government minister Balaam Barugahara has ordered the immediate closure of Yalelo Fish shop in Busia town following complaints from local fish traders over its operations.Barugahara directed the company to sell off the fish products currently in its store before halting its operations until further notice.The minister issued the directive during an anti-corruption meeting at Busia District headquarters, where traders accused Yalelo of operating illegally at Busia Customs premises, where it has reportedly operated for about three years.The traders claimed the premises are not designated for fish business and that Yalelo does not have a municipal council trading licence.They also asked the minister to direct all fish traders, including Yalelo, to operate from the main market. John Wafuba, the Busia deputy town clerk, said the municipal council had previously resolved to suspend Yalelo’s operations unless the company relocated its shop to the main market.Wafuba said the council had earlier sealed the Yalelo shop, but the management allegedly broke the seal and resumed operations. Addressing the traders, Barugahara ordered Yalelo to stop selling fish until further notice.Traders complainNassar Mulumba, a fishmonger at Busia Main Market, said Yalelo’s alleged operations at the customs premises had affected business for traders in the main market.Mulumba questioned why companies that allegedly do not pay municipal taxes or revenue are allowed to operate while market traders are required to pay monthly fees.Kenyatta Wanjala, chairperson of the Busia Fish Vendors Association, said traders wanted Yalelo to either leave Busia town or relocate its operations to the main market.Wanjala threatened that traders could stop paying municipal revenue if the authorities allowed fish businesses to continue operating outside the designated market.Hassan Sekyette, another trader, said Yalelo had made it difficult for some of their clients from Kenya to access the main market, leaving traders counting losses.Betty Ofuro Nekesa, a fish vendor, asked Barugahara to close Yalelo’s operations in Busia permanently to allow local traders to recover their businesses. However, a Yalelo employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the company was not ready to close its operations because it serves international clients.The employee said the company was willing to comply with all requirements set by the municipal council.The post Minister Balaam closes Yalelo fish shop in Busia appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.