Good news for the 152 market vendors Savusavu as a new market for climate-resilient, inclusive market designed to serve the people of Savusavu for generations to come has been opened.
Minister for Local Government, Maciu Nalumisa says it includes 152 market stalls, 123 for permanent vendors and 29 for temporary vendors.
Nalumisa says this project represented one of the largest investments by any Fiji Government in the town of Savusavu after the port upgrade, and it stood as a powerful symbol of the Coalition Government’s firm commitment to equitable development across the nation, ensuring that prosperity reaches every corner, especially the Northern Division.
He says concerns were raised around the aging market infrastructure in Savusavu with limited space and vulnerability to extreme weather events, which highlighted the need for a modern upgrade.
He also highlighted a total investment of $5.87 million, which includes $5.84 million from the Fiji Government and over $720,000 from the United Nations Women under the Markets for Change Project, was put together to erect the new Savusavu Market.
United Nations Women Deputy Representative Eri Taniguchi says one of the challenges faced by the market vendors in Savusavu was a lack of infrastructure since 2017.
She says the lack of proper infrastructure has affected their ability to work efficiently to provide quality goods and ultimately to sustain their livelihoods. Irinieta Matia says handicrafts that were sold at the old Savusavu market were spoiled due to leaks from the roof.
Matia says that at times they need to throw away handicraft items because they no longer carried a value for tourists to buy them, because of the rain that spoiled it.
