Vendors clash with officials

 VENDORS at the Madang town market clashed with municipal authorities last Friday over its closure.

The closure was because of a K26 million renovation to be carried there by the Madang Urban local level government management.

Vendors from Sepik and the Highlands provinces raised their concern with the market management.

Madang town manager Lau Sorum said the market had been closed since Dec 31 to allow Japan International Cooperation Agency and the National Fisheries Authority, on behalf of the Madang provincial government, to prepare for the renovation of the market facility.

“This is a K26 million rehabilitation programme and will require us to work according to the schedule set by JICA. Preparation for the rehabilitation is to be completed by next month,” Sorum said.

“The Four-Mile, Balasigo, Sagalau and Mildas markets will be used.

“It’s a government decision and it will be painful for the people at first but it will be better for them in the long run.” Vendors tried to clear the Botanical Garden to set up a temporary market there but were stopped by Mayor Joe Yama and the LLG officials. They were told to use the four smaller markets in town.

Police were called in to disperse the vendors when they continued to argue with the town authorities.

Madang district administrator Lawrence Pitor said he knew about the project but was not told about when the main market would be closed.

Mt Hagen vendor Michael Kumi said: “Mildas and other markets don’t have a proper water supply and toilets for us to use.

“They didn’t fix those things before moving us. 

“The vendors are a major revenue source for the Madang Urban LLG and our welfare should be addressed.” 

Vendor Elina Kari said the management had told them to use Bates Oval or Botanical garden as temporary markets.

She claimed that the vendors at the other four markets did not want them to go there.