The Vanuatu and Australian Governments have celebrated the commencement of the Port Vila Central Market Hygiene, Sanitation and Amenity Improvement Project with vendors and partners at a ceremony on Friday 21 June 2019.
Valued at 148 million vatu, the project is co-financed by the Australian Government and UN Women Fiji Multi-Country Office through its Markets for Change (M4C) Project. It will include construction of new toilet blocks and a wastewater treatment plant, new washing facilities for vendors, more covered seating areas and an office block for Port Vila Central Market administration and Silae Vanua Market Vendor Association. The market will also be cleaned and repainted.
“The Central Market House represents the beating heart of Port Vila, where people from different destinations, societies and cultures come to meet and feel part of this city,” said Hon. Minister for Internal Affairs, Andrew Napuat, “It’s time to breathe new life into it and create a safer and improved environment for our vendors and our visitors.”
The Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Ms. Jenny Da Rin said, “Australia is delighted to finance this important project, with support from UN Women. It will significantly improve the market and contribute to women’s empowerment and livelihoods.”
Works will be carried out by Franconieri & Son Constructions, and supervised by the Public Works Department. The project team consists of representatives from Port Vila Municipal Council (PVMC), Silae Vanua Market Vendors Association, Ministry of Internal Affairs (MoIA), Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (MIPU) and Public Works Department (PWD), working together to ensure the project is completed with minimal disruption and the community and vendors are kept informed of the project progress.
“UN Women, through the generous support of the Australian Government to our Markets for Change Project, is proud to support the improvements to Port Vila market as a key component
towards achieving our common goal of supporting and ensuring that market vendors, especially women vendors, have the opportunity to improve their lives and advance economically. This is foundational to advancing gender equality in Vanuatu,” said Betty Zinner-Toa, Country Programme Coordinator of UN Women Vanuatu Field Office.
UN Women M4C Project is principally funded by the Australian Government with recent support from the Government of Cana. UNDP is an implementing partner of M4C Project.
“This will help to promote hygiene, food safety, disability inclusion, and gender equality.”
The Port Vila Central Market House continues to be a hub for locals buying and selling fresh produce and is rated as one of the top activities for tourists in Vanuatu.
“The Port Vila Central Market House represents a way of life for the vendors,” said Rachel Merang, Silae Vanua Market Vendors Association President, “so we are all looking forward to the improved facilities, which will benefit everyone and be much appreciated.”
The Market house project was announced by Prime Minister Morrison during his visit to Vanuatu in January 2019. Contracts for the project were signed by Hon. Minister for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Christophe Emelee on 31 May 2019.
Works will commence in June and are expected to be completed by the end of December 2019.
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