Bala: Portable Sheds, Fixing Existing Ones Planned To Help Rain Drenched Vendors
Setting up portable sheds and fixing the existing ones is being planned for the Suva Municipal Market.
This was confirmed by Minister for Local Government, Housing and Environment, Infrastructure and Transport Parveen Bala yesterday.
“The leakage at the Suva Market roof needs to be fixed and towards the taxi stand area we’ll have to do some portable ones because these are weekend vendors,” Mr Bala said.
Mr Bala’s comments comes after ongoing market vendor complaints, especially those outside, who get drenched and their produce damaged during rainy conditions.
Karalaini Vakataudaveta of Gusuisavu, Naitasiri, has been selling her produce there for years. Like she does most weekends, she travelled by carrier about three hours to get to Suva on Friday night to set up.
But the downpour became uncomfortable, like many others outside, she was drenched from head-to-toe when visited.
“We reached Suva around 11pm and by that time the rains began to fall. I’ve been drenched since last night,” the 39-year-old said.
The Suva City Council charges $3.50 per table outside or per vendor.
Nacanieli Serutabua, 60, from Nadovu Village in Naitasiri, said heavy rain affected his sale and they needed a proper roofing.
“If the rain continues then many of our produce will not be sold and will go damaged.
“We are feeding the whole of Suva, so the council needs to provide better roofing for us.”
Nina Tuimouta said: “The market usually witnesses huge crowds from Thursday to Saturday.”
Ms Tuimouta said selling produce was the main source of income for their families. It paid for necessities and helped send their children to school.
Yesterday too, the Suva City Council and the Ministry of Local Government representatives had a meeting with the market master.
It is understood that the outcome of the meeting was that they would find proper sheds for the outside vendors soon.
Suva City Council chief executive officer Bijay Chand, when called yesterday, also confirmed this.
Edited by Ranoba Baoa
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