24-hr market for district

By MAJELEEN YANEI
EAST Sepik’s market vendors in Wamayang, Yangoru-Saussia and other parts of the province will have a 24-hour market facility with water, banking and sanitation services among others following its launching on Tuesday.
Wamayang women representative Wilmah Wama said they had been marketing under makeshift structures for the past 28 years, enduring bad weather and were at times refused space at the Wewak town market to sell their produce and vend.
“Our concerns were made to MP Richard Maru since 2012 and after many promises he fulfilled his promise today,” Wama said.
She said the vendors, many of whom were members of the local community, depended on this market to earn an income that helped pay for school fees for their children and meet other basic needs.
“With this modern facility it will enhance our lives with more marketing opportunities.”
United Nations Papua New Guinea country director Adekemi Ndieli said the 24-hour market facility was the first of its kind in the Pacific.
She said women occupy 85 per cent of all markets worldwide and we will ensure they have access to proper facilities as marketing is the root of economic development.
“Vendors will also have proper sitting space, power supply, food storage facilities, bathrooms and sleeping space for mothers who travel in (from other districts),” she said.
Ndieli urged the host communities to ensure the place was safe for women and girls as the project is part of addressing issues faced by women.
Local MP Richard Maru said the project would cost about K8 million and urged the communities not to have political differences but work together and protect the facilities.
He said the UN would also train market vendors on soft loan skills before market opened.
He added that the facility belonged to everyone who used this part of the highway and not Wamayang communities only.
Adventist Development Relief Agency country director Daren Yorio said the project would begin with bore water drilling next week and would not only benefit the users, but also the surrounding communities.
“A water system is an important facility for the project. Our team will move the drilling machines on site to start work,” Yorio said.
The National Planning and Monitoring Department also made a commitment of K1 million to the project.