Days of braving the ele­ments to sell their pro­duce outside the munici­pal market building is over for Labasa Market vendors.

A new extension that now ca­ters for 250 market vendors was opened yesterday, by the Minis­ter for Local Government, Ur­ban Development and Housing Parveen Bala.

Mr Bala said the market exten­sion works were done in such a way that it provided more space for vendors and the public.

“These market vendors will now have a roof over their head for the first time,” Mr Bala said.

“When I came here last year, you had requested for an exten­sion of a market.

“Because for the past years these market vendors have been selling their produce braving the sun and the rain.

“The vendors used to sell their produce on the ground and they were not protected from sun­shine or rainy conditions.

“The extended market will en­sure vendors, as well as their produce, are protected.”

Labasa Municipal Market is the largest in the Northern Divi­sion. It houses 600 vendors.

Once complete, all vendors will get equal opportunities to do business in a conducive envi­ronment and progress economi­cally.

The new market extension will benefit vendors and farm­ers from Wainikoro, Wainunu, Dogotuki, Bua and Cakaudrove.

Labasa Market vendors spokes­person Losalini Kaukimoce said vendors, especially women, had been helped through the open­ing of the new extension.

“In my three years as market vendor, this is the first time we are receiving facilities of great quality and members of the pub­lic are happy,” Ms Kaukimoce said.

“We are so thankful to Minister Bala for supporting us. Now the women can sleep in better con­ditions. Today our prayers have been answered.

“This project demonstrates that Government cares about our wellbeing and welfare.

“I sincerely thank the Govern­ment for all it has done to im­prove living standards of ordi­nary Fijians”.

Vendors will move to their new stalls by tomorrow.

Edited byPercy Kean

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