Set up Sunday Market in Long Lama — Rep
MIRI: Marudi District Council is urged to set up a Sunday Market in Long Lama bazaar to help the local people sell their produce in order to earn extra income.
Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau said the presence of such market would go a long way in helping farmers and jungle produce gatherers to sell their produce and generate income.
“I understand there are quite a number of farmers and jungle produce gatherers, including the Penans, selling rotan products such as mats, baskets and handicraft by the riverbanks and five-foot-way in Long Lama bazaar.
“They come down mostly during major events and festivals in Long Lama. Response from the local people to their farm and jungle produce is good due to their freshness and cheap prices,” he said.
According to the assemblyman, these traders had little choice but to trade anywhere available including five-foot-way because there was no proper place for them at the moment. What little venue there was were all taken up by the licensed traders and hawkers.
“Trading by the riverbanks and five-foot-ways is dangerous. They can be knocked down by vehicles, not to mention the dangers posed by the elements,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Dennis thus proposed that Marudi District Council set up a proper venue (Sunday or weekend market) for them to trade.
“For a start, I propose that the market is held once a month with the possibility of increasing the frequency to twice a month before making it a permanent fixture in Long Lama, depending on response of the farmers and jungle produce gatherers and customers,
“Make sure they do not sell protected and endangered animals or other produce in the market,” he said.