Vendors want 9-Mile market opened

By GRACE AUKA
VENDORS are anxious to know when the 9-Mile market outside Port Moresby will be re-opened.
The market was closed last August after an ethnic clash between people from Chimbu and Tari.
It resulted in the death of business manager John Siune Kaupa from Chimbu.  
Jack Waso, the chairman of the 9-Mile peace and good order committee said it was taking too long to re-open the market.
The closure has affected the sale of garden produce, cooked food and other items which the vendors needed to earn an income.
Waso said he had received numerous complaints and concerns from vendors including mothers and children who used to sell at the m
arket.
“Mothers have been selling food, vegetables, alongside the road and it’s not safe for them.”
Waso said it was too close to the road and could cause accidents.
The Tari-Chimbu clash led to the destruction of property.
Police managed to restore peace and held a week-long mediation process to bring the situation under control.
“Although there is some animosity, our involvement has caused both parties to get involved in dialogue and have worked towards peace,” he said.
“The handing over of key suspects to police from both parties was a sign of their intent to establish peace.”
The vendors want NCD
Governor Powes Parkop and Moresby Northeast MP Andrew Mald to do something about restoring
business activities there.
The MPs could not be reached for comment.