Reconstruction slow at fire-damaged Beni Makada market, traders still in limbo

Nearly three months after a devastating fire tore through the Beni Makada model market in Tangier, local authorities have completed repairs on 200 shops that suffered minor damage. But reconstruction of the most severely affected section, comprising more than 80 shops, is only just beginning.

A senior city official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Hespress AR that “the road to restoring the Beni Makada market to its original state is still long.” The official confirmed that demolition work has started on the burned-out section, calling it the most difficult phase of the recovery effort.

“This stage requires far more effort and financial resources than what was spent on the initial repairs,” the official said, without disclosing the estimated budget for the next phase. “Nothing is finalized yet,” he added, noting that discussions on the cost and timeline are still ongoing.

The lack of clarity is raising fresh concerns among vendors, many of whom had already expressed fears that prolonged closures would threaten their livelihoods. Most of the traders are currently operating from temporary tents provided by authorities to keep commercial activity going.

Although three companies have been tasked with carrying out the reconstruction, sources familiar with the process describe the pace of work as slow. The delays have fueled uncertainty about the future of the market and whether vendors will be able to return anytime soon.

No official timeline has been set for the completion of the reconstruction effort, deepening anxieties among affected business owners and adding to the market’s uncertain outlook.