Minister for Local Government Premila Kumar has revealed that the Government spent a total of $23.6 million in upgrading and building municipal markets around the country.

Kumar said for the upcoming double-storey Savusavu market, the Government decided to include features of the blue town concept.

Speaking to vendors of Savusavu yesterday Kumar said having a Blue Town concept was imperative to go in line with the Blue Town theme of Savusavu.

“This is why we have taken a bit of time to finalise the market concept as we worked on a plan to go in line with the Blue Town theme to ensure that the structure suits it,” she said.

“Once we complete the tender, the project will start, and we are looking at the end of February or early March.”

“The new market will have space for 183 vendors on the ground floor, a conference room that can cater for 128 seats, the council office and small micro-enterprise kiosks,” she said.

She said the FijiFirst Government was committed to building markets around the country.

“We have plans to build a new market in Levuka and will have features that will suit its heritage town and surrounding,” she said.

“There were plans also being considered for the construction of new markets in Dreketi and Seaqaqa, both in Macuata.

“A mini-market will be built in Flagstaff and the Raiwaqa market will be upgraded because, at the end of the day, we want all vendors to be happy and satisfied with the markets,” Kumar said.

By Nacanieli Tuilevuka