Illegal Stalls Removed To Ensure Safety And Security

The Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Local Government Dimity Fifer responded to false claims that vendors, whose illegal stalls were removed because of Tropical Cyclone Yasa safety concerns, were not being offered permanent market spaces.

The Permanent Secretary stated that last week, Municipal Councils informed all roadside vendors to remove illegal stall structures to ensure the safety and security of all during Tropical Cyclone Yasa. If illegal structures were not removed, the Councils were to do so for the public’s protection.

“Vendors in Makoi and Tebara can still serve Makoi and Narere areas. Vunidogo Market has remained largely empty while the vendors were selling from illegal stalls on the roadside. Sellers from the roadside now have a legal space.”

“I assure you that we will never remove anyone without offering them an alternative space. There is now less congestion on the roadside and everyone who wishes a stall, particularly elderly women and young people can now sell their produce from a safe, secure and hygienic vendor space,” said Ms. Fifer.

The Permanent Secretary added that Nausori and Nasinu Councils looked forward to welcoming and working with all vendors who previously sold from illegal stalls.

Furthermore, it is incorrect to state that Municipal Councils wish to deter anyone from the legal sale of their produce.

“I can confirm that vendors removed all produce from these illegal stalls before the arrival of Cyclone Yasa. Councils were not involved with the removal of produce. I can also confirm that many roadside vendors who had their illegal stall removed by Nasinu and Nausori Councils have made contact and retrieved their materials which were

stored at Council depots.”

“All Municipal Councils promote their Municipal Markets as important spaces for those wanting to create a livelihood through the sale of produce. The Ministry encourages all vendors to choose the legal market option for their livelihood and not construct illegal

stalls in the roadside areas,” Ms. Fifer elaborated.

Empty stalls are now available in Council Market facilities for those vendors who have had their roadside stalls removed. There are also extra stalls at the Laqere-Nasinu

Market, Nausori Market, 53 stalls at Vunidogo Market; Suva Main Market has 30 spaces available. Namaka Market has 30 stalls available; Nadi Market has 50 stalls; Ba has 15 empty stalls and Lautoka has 50 spaces respectively.

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