Market vending fees to increase: Kumar

Market stall fee for permanent vendors will increase by 25 cents from next year. Vendors at the Tavua Market have been just paying $0.75 in fees per stall for the past 20 years.

Minister for Local Government, Premila Kumar during a meeting with the Market Vendors Association said this would increase to $1. She made the comment following a plea from vendors for an upgrade to the existing Tavua Market.

Though the ministry and Tavua Town Council have plans to build a new market, Ms Kumar said if the vendors agreed with the increase in fee, they will start addressing the much needed construction.

The main need is for a proper shaded area that is allocated to casual farmers including a need for a gate or doorway to allow the provision for customers’ accessibility. There were also issues raised about people who sold their produce on the footpaths in the middle of town. It came to light that the majority of them were not market vendors nor do they pay a permit to the council. Ms Kumar said she would take into consideration cutting down on allocation of the number of stalls per person to give space for those selling at the footpath. Rakiraki-Tavua Town councils chief executive officer Sailosi Sawana confirmed that they need to expect action from the council in the coming weeks.

Plans are in place for a joint operation between the councils to remove those selling on the footpaths if the need arises.

“We’re trying to assist you to grow. At the same time allowing equal opportunity to everyone. We will take the relevant actions needed to do this,” he said.