by Jacob Niru – EM TV, Port Moresby
Close to 300 vendors at Rainbow Market in Port Moresby are calling on NCD Governor Powes Parkop to allocate an alternate venue for them to trade.
This follows their recent removal from where they originally sold their produce.
The vendors said their request to Mr Parkop is still pending. The market, which was formally located, was shut down by the landlord for business operations.
Mothers on site say that the market has been their only means of survival for over 20 years in the capital city.
Judy Pakana, the women’s spokesperson to the governor, says the issue had been brought to his office before the eviction, yet they are still waiting for the response.
The market they have taken up near a roadside is just a temporary one; the vendors are already complaining of losing income, as well as the moving vehicles, which have are a traffic hazard.
Willie Mack says the market vendors’ actions and the treatment given to the general public speaks volumes for itself, such as their rubbish disposal methods and discouragement of lawlessness.
Buyers, nevertheless, believe that the money spent sustains the lives of the sellers and strongly supported the concerns raised by the vendors.
Meanwhile, attempts made today by EM TV News to get comments from the governor have been unsuccessful.
The eviction of certain informal markets throughout the city is a growing concern for many city residents who live through it.
Jacob Niru is a UPNG Journalism student.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=HPAa8vA9tcQ%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
