Port Vila Market

Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin affected almost 250,000 people - 80 percent of the population - wiping out around 40 percent of the nation's gross domestic product, with preliminary assessments estimating the recovery costs to be about $US50 million.

Matty Mark manages the Kormam Market selling fresh produce such as taro, cabbage, kumala and banana, which are currently in short supply in Port Vila.

Stall holders at Port Vila's Mama's Market estimate the financial loss from last month's double cyclone disaster and the ongoing Air Vanuatu travel disruptions to be as high as $US80,000.

The women's market plays a crucial role in the lives of many rural ni-Vanuatu communities.

"Most of them are grandmothers but they still try their best to get small money to survive with their grandchildren," Mama Market Arts and Handicraft team leader Rebecca Bule said.

Handmade products are lovingly crafted in villages, and the sales support entire families.

The market will be closed for two days from September 27 to 28.

Port Vila Market House Manager, Sacha Watt said the changes will include rearranging tables.

“The market is for everyone, including customers with disability. Part of my duty is to make sure it is easier for customers to get they want while shopping and that they feel comfortable when visiting.”

Most of the vendors at the Port Vila Market are from remote Efate.

They pay VT400 daily for table fees.

The venue is in its final stages of completion and the Municipal Council has given approval for the contractor, Franconieri & Son Construction to begin demolishing existing toilets.

This is to make way for the construction of a new café area, completion of the seafront covered seating area and a solid waste handling area.

Over the last four weeks the Central Market has been vacated due to the State of Emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Port Vila Market was closed recently along with other public facilities as the country put measures in place to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The market has undergone a renovation and opens again today.

The Vanuatu Daily Post reports only 50 vendors will be allowed to sell at the market each day.

Municipal Council authorities are maintaining emergency restrictions on general public gatherings, but agreed to reopen the market to ensure the ongoing supply of fresh vegetables and fruit to the city's 45,000-strong population.

“Port Vila Municipal Council will use the time to correct the hygiene deficiencies at the Market House,” City Clerk Peter Sakita said.

It is now a widely held fact that poor hygiene spreads coronavirus and PVMC has to address the hygiene, cleanliness, social distancing issues because the Port Vila markets attracts hundreds of people daily.

Farmers from South West Epi are currently selling their local produce and small livestock animals with financial support from Member of Parliament (MP) for Epi, Isaac Daniel Tongolilu.

The group’s Team leader, Helen Tom, said the farmers are so happy and fortunate to have this opportunity to access markets outside the island of Epi.

“This is the fifth trip sponsored by MP Tongolilu since the beginning of this year 2019.  Even though we are far away from home we still feel at home because all our expenses including transportation, meals are financed by our MP.

RNZ reports stall-holders in the main city market and other outlets in the capital were planning to stop work yesterday over concern at an increase in the cost of permits.

The chairman of the Port Vila Market House committee, Elison Tabisal, met with the Market Vendors Association this morning and said vegetable sellers had agreed to co-operate and continue selling.

The market supplies the capital's population as well as restaurants and hotels in Port Vila.