THE illegal market outlet at the Fishing Village in Honiara and all other illegal market outlets in the capital will be closed today upon the order of the National Government and Honiara City Council.
HCC failed to shut-down all illegal markets in Honiara by the 31 January deadline it had imposed.
The management of the Fishing Village market issued a statement yesterday to inform its ‘valued clients’ that they will close the market until further notice.
The illegal market management advised its ‘clients’ to go to newly opened HCC Kukum and Central Market facilities.
Earlier on, Honiara City Mayor, Eddie Siapu, had warned vendors to move out from the Fishing Village, Maromaro, and the White River 01 Market as they are not legal market outlets.
He said if vendors failed to comply with the warning, the markets would be demolished by HCC’s ‘tough’ Law Enforcement Officers.
Some social media commentators were critical of the mayor’s warning, saying it would affect the daily income vendors who depend entirely on vending at these market outlets for their daily sustenance.
The move to close all illegal market outlets in the capital is to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and the cleanliness and beaty of Honiara clean before the city’s hosting of the 2023 Pacific Games later this year.
Many Honiara residents rely on these illegal market outlets for their daily purchase of fruits, vegetable and root crops and seafood.
By LACHLAN EDDIE
Solomon Star, Honiara
