Labasa market to be relocated

THE Labasa Municipal Market will be relocated while the bus stand will remain at its present site, says Local Government Minister Premila Kumar.

She assured ratepayers the move would not affect income opportunities in town.

Her assurance came in the wake of concerns raised by Labasa Chamber of Commerce president Satish Kumar who said shop owners in town would feel the pinch of the relocation to Nayaca subdivision (opposite the current site).

“Most of these business people have invested millions of dollars into their buildings and if the market is shifted to the other side of the river, then this side of town will suffer,” he said.

“The population in Labasa is not enough to provide good business for facilities on either side of the town.”

In response, Mrs Kumar said the new plan would not disconnect the market from the main town.

She said buses travelling from rural areas of Cakaudrove, Bua and Macuata would stop first at the new market site before returning to the bus stand.

“It will all be connected. The bus will take passengers to the market and then return to the bus stand so everyone and the business is still connected,” Mrs Kumar said.