Koki market belongs to electorate: Tkatchenko

The National National

MORESBY South MP Justin Tkatchenko says the Koki Market belongs to the people of the electorate and will not be given away.
He was responding to a recent statement by Central Governor Robert Agarobe who said he wanted to take back the Koki Market.
Tkatchenko said “we look after the Central people well because we understand that Koki is a traditional trading route between the Wanigelas, the people of Moresby South, Abau and Rigo”.
“We’ve upgraded that market for K8 million and have three or four sheds just for the people of Central to sell their produce,” he said.
“We also built a transit centre with the help of the Australian government to house vendors from Central where they can sleep in a safe and secure environment while they sell their fresh produce.
“They have showers, toilets and sleeping facilities.”
He said the Central vendors used to sleep in the market when they could not find transport home or had no relatives in the city.
He advised Agarobe that the Central vendors were already looked after at the Koki Market.
“Governor, you concentrate on another projects in Central.
“Don’t waste your time on something that’s already created and done and working well for your people,” Tkatcheno said.
“The people of Abau and Rigo have traditionally used Koki market to sell their produce.
“They have no issues at all there.
“They are happy our people embrace them, because in Moresby South we have a lot of people from Gulf, Highlands, Papua and Motu Koitabu.”

3 comments

  • Governor Agarobe, Please built a suitable market for the people at Brown River and at Bautama for the Central People to sell their produce. Just leave Koki Market alone. Why spoilt a good thing; like Koki market?

  • Agarobe has been talking about taking back POM city but since that’s impossible, he’s now dreaming about Koki. Now where is Koki market located…. within NCD or Central? Come off your illusions and do something real for the Central people. If you could build a market for your people to sell their produce including beatlenut at Bautama, Laloki, 14-17mile area or just about anywhere its pleasing to you, you would be doing wonders for your people in the long run. Otherwise, you are leading your people to become daydreamers!

  • My wife is part Abau and I feel sorry for my tambus. Please Governor Agarobe focus on Central Province. Build a good and improved market in Kwikila! People in POM will come to Kwikila. The Australian government is giving massive funds to market upgrades in WHP. Why cant you tap into this funding and improve markets in Central Province? Forget about NCD.

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