The Suva City Council (SCC) will clamp down on people who sell goods on footpaths in the Capital, says chair of the special administrators for Suva and Lami, Isikeli Tikoduadua.

According to Local Government by-laws, the sale of goods on footpaths is prohibited because of health and safety concerns.

Mr Tikoduadua said the council had advertised this in yesterday’s Fiji Sun as well.

“The SCC enforcement team will be out to enforce the law. This is about doing it right and doing things according to the law,” he said.

“The purpose of having the law is to follow it. We urge people to get in touch with the market master or talk to us.”

He said the prohibition of selling items on footpaths included those who sell produce on tables and benches and trading in garments and cosmetics.

Mr Tikoduadua said the Suva Municipal Market shall accommodate market vendors interested to sell in the city.

“The council is requesting vendors to work with the Market Master for space allocation at the Municipal Market.”

While the council is trying to ensure that the law is followed, people still used the footpath.

Arieta Waqa of Suva said they sold inside the market from Monday to Tuesday and from Thursday to Saturday she sold on the footpath.

Minister for Local Government Premila Kumar said extra funding had been given towards municipal enforcement in the 2019/2020 Budget.

Edited by Percy Kean

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