Japan, PNG ink deal to build new Madang market

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Wednesday October 30th, 2013

 By ELIZABETH MIAE

JAPAN and Papua New Guinea yesterday signed an agreement in Port Moresby for the new Madang Market.

The Japanese Government has approved a grant K26 million for the project.

An agreement was signed between National Planning and Monitoring acting Secretary Juliana Kubak and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) chief representative, Shigeru Sugiyama. 

Kubak said the project was aligned to Vision 2050. 

“It complements the government’s vision for providing for the rural majority,” she said. 

“I thank the Japanese Government and look forward to the successful implementation of the project.”

The major components of the project are the reconstruction and renovation of market buildings and facilities like the refrigeration storage and block-ice crushers, administration building, public toilet and car park. 

“Since it is going to be a major and comprehensive rehabilitation, we did a profound study and intensive consultations with stakeholders, the administration, vendors and market users,” Sugiyama said.  He said as a result the project was designed to bring tremendous improvements that included:

  • 80% of vendors’ spaces provided with roofing and concrete floor;
  • ice sold in the market to help vendors preserve seafood;
  • vendor numbers and car park size increased;
  • use of the land space improved because of layout change;
  • improvement of general cleanliness and hygiene; and,
  • Disabled people having easy access.