The National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) will today, 1st July, 2025, officially open the newly constructed Sewa Grounds Market situated at Sewa Ground, within the Central Business District (CBD) of Freetown.
The market is expected to house a wide range of traders across Freetown.
The big and modern market has facilities including 1,544 open stalls, 170 upscale shops, 277 medium scale shops and 76 stores and 40 toilet facilities and can accommodate over 2,500 with a spacious car park.
According to the Public Affairs Manager at NASSIT, Osman Koroma, the new market is equipped with state-of-the-art technology including CCTV cameras and a standby generator. He furthered that it also has two large water tanks and boreholes that can adequately serve the entire facility.
Mr. Koroma added that the market is primarily designed to generate revenue for the government so that NASSIT will be able to meet its obligations, adding that the new market will be managed by an independent body called, Sierra Leone Estate Management Company (SEMCO); an independent body within NASSIT.
“The new market will not solve all the problems faced by traders in terms of space, but it will significantly lessen the burden on government,” Mr. Koroma stated.
The NASSIT mouthpiece also stated that the Sewa Ground Market is aligned with the institution’s mandate to collect contributions from members and pay benefits to pensioners across the country just as the NASSIT Sea View Estate investment at Goderich.
Meanwhile, many traders have expressed gratitude for this provision, noting that it is precisely what they needed. They have pledged that once they occupy the market, they will refrain from street trading henceforth.
The Director-General of NASSIT, Mohamed Fuaud Daboh, has said that the Sewa Ground Market is one of the best markets in Sierra Leone and would help address the issue of street trading within the CBD.
“With this type of facility, I firmly believe that street trading will soon be a thing of the past. Based on what I see before me, I can confidently inform His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio that the building is well structured with modern features. It is now 99% complete and is ready for commissioning,” he stated.
