The struggles of having to sell by the roadside in strong winds and heavy swells could be a thing of the past for Levuka Market vendors.

This was after Levuka Town Council chief executive officer Josese Rakuita confirmed that they were awaiting the appointment of a consultant from the Ministry of Local Government, to begin with works on the new Levuka Municipal Market.

The new market is expected to be built on the old Levuka market site.

Mr Rakuita said it has been a long time coming and they were grateful to the United Nations (UN) Women for their assistance throughout the years, in particular, providing makeshift tents for the women vendors to sell their harvest.

“UN Women has partnered with the Ministry of Local Government with the people of Levuka to provide us with makeshift tents to provide shelters for our market vendors along Beach Street,” Mr Rakuita said.

“Since they are exposed to sunlight, heavy swells and sometimes strong sea breeze the tents at times wear off; we are grateful that the UN Women has donated replacements,” he said.

Teresa Yee Show inside the shop where she sells farm produce for market vendors in Levuka.

Mr Rakuita added that having to erect tents every morning and dismantling them at the end of the day was a challenge.

“We have been putting up with the daily erecting and dismantling; UN Women’s setting up this new facility will provide vendors with a much better facility.

Funding of the new market is a joint venture of UN Women and the Ministry of Local Government.

“The new market is the answer to the prayers of the people of Levuka especially the market vendors.

“After the appointment of the consultant by Government then we will be able to look at a quote and a time frame that we will work on to have the facility up and running.

“The new market is expected to be a double-storey building close to the Patterson Shipping office since we are wanting to retain the heritage sites in Levuka we will build it alongside the old market site is.

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