New Raiwaqa Market Will Be Built On Park Next To Catholic Church

Vendors and residents have welcomed the move to have the Raiwaqa Market constructed on the loca­tion where the temporary market has been set up.

Minister for Local Government Premila Kumar said the new Raiwaqa Market would be constructed on the park next to the Raiwaqa Catholic Church.

Ms Kumar said the concept they were working on was very similar to a drive through market, something the current setting enjoys as well.

She said they were looking at a two storey structure where the top level would be for small businesses.

According to Ms Kumar the new market will be comple­mented by the construction team of the new housing pro­ject where the four-storey blocks used to be.

Raven Singh, a vendor, said the new market was exciting news because they would like to get out of the tents they were now selling from.

“We are happy with the Suva City Council setting up the temporary market, but we have been selling like this for more than a year,” he said.

Another vendor, Salisoni Lutunauga, said a proper struc­ture would benefit them and the community as well.

Jack Prasad of Derrick Street in Raiwaqa said a proper market was what the people needed.

“Look at the old market. The intention was good, but it did not take off. The new market plan sounds good, and I hope that it is made in a way that it lasts,” he said.

As for the old Raiwaqa Market, Ms Kumar said the plan was to work with a supermarket to build a new structure in the place of the rusting and condemned building.

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