NCDC to evict clothes sellers
CLOTHES vendors at the Waigani and Boroko markets have expressed concerns as to what will become of them if the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) remove them from operating in these areas.
NCD Governor Powes Parkop last week issued an eviction notice to vendors and occupants to vacate the premises at Boroko and Waigani markets to make way for a major development planned for this year.
Joy Nanas a single mother from Enga said they are scared of what will happen when they are eventually forced to leave.
“We are retailers here and how can they expect us to go and just rent out a house or building to use. Most of us earn enough to sustain our families and continue to buy our bales of clothes for sale and by this we simply cannot afford to rent a place,” she said.
Echa and Margaret, clothes vendors at Waigani market, said if the governor provides an alternative place then they are prepared to move.
Both vendors say they receive good income from city residents and if they are moved to a far away place they might experience a fall in their income.
They usually pay K2 for tax a day to NCDC but lately officers from the commission have
not been around to collect taxes.
A majority of the vendors buy bales of used clothing from clothes dealers.
A 50kg bale of clothes normally cost between K500 and K850 depending on quality.
Those who choose to import direct from Australia normally pay up to K2,000 for a brown bale which holds a variety of items.
The profit rate can range between K500 and K1,000 depending on quality.
Cornelia Yamaen who gets her used clothing from “Second Time Around” is also a vendor operating on a portion of land at Waigani market owned by Janet Sape and says the vendors should either adhere to the governor’s notice or look for places to rent.
According to those vendors who are operating under building properties, the rental rates are quite expensive.
Rose Otri of Clothing Barn said they pay almost K10,000 a month while Tony Kuringi of Clothing Mart said they pay almost K22,000 a month.
Both these businesses import clothes from Australia and New Zealand however could not disclose how much it cost to bring a container to PNG.
It is understood that those who get their clothing from USA have to pay over K135,000 to bring the containers into PNG.
Most of those operating under rented properties said they sympathies for the market vendors and if the Governor wants them relocated then an alternative place must be provided for them to conduct their business.
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