$23.6m spent for the reconstruction of markets in the last couple of years - Kumar

Minister for Local Government Premila Kumar has revealed that the government has spent $23.6 million for the reconstruction of markets in the last couple of years.

While opening consultations on the Savusavu Market Upgrade, Kumar says they will be launching a number of market related projects this year.

She says this includes the Flagstaff Mini-Market, plans for the Mead Road Market as well as the Raiwaqa Market.

Kumar says contractors for the Levuka Market have been assigned and it is just a matter of going down to Levuka and getting the work started.

She also says they are targeting the end of February or early March for contractors to begin construction of the upgrade of the Savusavu Market.

The Minister has stressed the government is committed to building markets around the country as in the past this was the responsibility of the municipal councils who had to collect money using rate payers.

Kumar says this was done by increasing rates, stall fees and the last resort used to be taking a bank loan.