Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama is urging the vendors of the new Namaka Municipal Market to make the most of what the government has built for them, apply their creativity, bring innovative ideas and unleash their entrepreneurial spirit.
He says that when they do well for themselves, they do well for their nation.
He says the opening of this new market will open vendors like Viniana Liku's life to incredible new opportunities.
The Prime Minister says instead of selling flowers under the hot sun, she can sell in comfort of the indoors, where her flowers will stay fresh and beautiful, longer. Instead of travelling to Lautoka, she can use the market’s new hostel facilities, and its showers, bathrooms and other sanitary services to rest and freshen up before she returns to the job.
He adds that in this clean and attractive new facility, she will see more customers and earn more income, and she can add her own creativity and character to her selling space, making it truly her own.
The new market has two floors of selling space and offices, 288 vendor stalls, and 40 beds. Bainimarama says the new market’s construction was funded directly by the government to the tune of $4.8 million, with another $400,000 provided by the Australian Government through UN-Women. He says the market was designed with sustainability in mind, with an open ceiling that allows for natural light, and a clever rain harvesting roof system, that captures water they can use to keep the space clean.
He adds that following the ban on single-use plastics, local women’s groups will be selling cloth reusable bags to keep shopping in Namaka sustainable. Bainimarama says the new market is a tourism destination – with a new bus bay to ferry visitors from hotels and cruise ships.
He adds it is also a one-stop centre for business needs, with a Nadi Town Council Sub-Office on level two where Fijians can pay rates, answer questions and lodge business and development applications.
