Mothers protest decision to close informal market

 A GROUP of mothers are protesting a decision by the Lae City Council to close an informal market at Voco Point.

The council closed the market last Friday claiming that it was illegal and was also the source of petty crimes. Voco Point is the city’s popular landing for coastal people of Morobe Patrol Post travelling to and from Lae by sea.

The informal vendors had been using the park until last Friday when the market was shut down.

They said they had been helping police and city authorities in reporting criminal activities in the area and helping in apprehending offenders.They even arrest some and take them to the Voco Point police station. But they claimed police failed to prosecute them.

SusieMambi, 40, a single mother of SPD2 settlementin China Town, said she supported her family from the income she derived from selling items.

“I have two children, one 11 and the other nine who I support from the little money I make from the market at Voco Point,” she said. 

“Now that it is closed, I don’t know how else I will support them.” 

Nancy Rodney, a mother of three whose husband is unemployed and living in West New Britain, expressed similar sentiments.