THE closure of Honiara Central Market for an indefinite period as of last week had seen the Fishing village and Kukum market now very busy.
The temporary closure was passed by the Honiara City Council’s executive in a way of resolution last Thursday.
This is to give time for major improvements to be carried out in the main market, Market Master Saxon Ofata said last week.
Renovation work includes, fencing, improving water and sanitation and re-organising the market.
Mr Ofata said, this exercise would affect the vendors and the public but urged them to be patient with the decision.
“This initiative taken by the Council to improve the market is for the betterment of the public, vendors and the Council,” he added.
The closure over the weekend had forced many market vendors to move to Fishing Village and the Kukum market.
A visit by the Solomon Star to the two markets yesterday revealed both markets were packed with vendors who tried to sell their produce with the limited space. And this had also caused inconvenience to some of the market vendors who were unable to sell their produce.
At Fishing Village, vendors have to use the footpath to display and sell their produce and its causing a problem for people wanting to move around.
Some of the market vendors travelled to the city yesterday only to find out about the closure yesterday.
Traffic hold up was also a problem at both markets yesterday.
At the Kukum market both the betel nut sellers and normal vendors are using the market while at Fishing Village betel nut vendors have been asked to leave.
Some of the customers said, the closure the main market is likely to cause so much inconvenience to both the market vendors, customers and traffic due to limited space at both markets.
The temporary relocation has also forced many people from Central Honiara to travel up all the way to Fishing Village and Kukum market to buy vegetables and other produce.
For those in West Honiara most of them travelled to the 01 bus stop at White River to do their shopping at the market there.
The current situation has also raised calls for the establishment of proper a bigger and proper areas in West and East Honiara for market vendors to sell their produce.
The re-opening of the main market will be announced at a later date after the completion of the renovation work.
By MOFFAT MAMU
