$6.3 million has been allocated for the completion of the Savusavu, Levuka and Nakasi markets while the completion of the Savusavu and Nakasi markets is expected by March next year and the Levuka market by January 2024.
Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Nalumisa confirmed this in parliament when asked by FijiFirst MP Alvick Maharaj to provide an update on the progress of the Savusavu, Levuka and Nakasi markets that were initiated by the previous government.
Nalumisa says the Savusavu Market will be the first-ever market to replicate the blue town model in Fiji with allocated funding of $3 million.
He says this will benefit farmers, market vendors, tourists and the public.
The Minister says the project is co-funded by the Government and the United Nations for Gender and Equality under the Empowerment of Women, where the market will consist of 141 stalls, handicraft shops and three food outlets.
The Minister says the Nakasi Market is long overdue for those market vendors who sell illegally on the roadside in Makoi, Nakasi and Nausori areas.
Nalumisa says these projects will strengthen the teams in the councils which will ensure their financial sustainability while the coalition government believes that for any infrastructure development in any municipalities, they will require studies to comprehend the need for any capital projects undertaken to ensure the construction will benefit the council and market vendors in the long-run.
He says it took the previous government 8 years to construct these markets apart from other markets while the Ministry is prioritising the development and refurbishment of the markets.
FijiFirst MP, Premila Kumar asked the Minister what is being done about the Navua Market where money was withdrawn and diverted somewhere else.
Nalumisa says the Navua Market was not well planned and the Ministry is looking at the best place to relocate the market.
