BY RODRICK DESURI
Auki
Construction of a new clothes market for rural women in and around Auki Town, Malaita Province, has reached the site compaction stage this month.
The project is expected to provide a proper space for vendors, particularly rural women, to sell second-hand clothes and earn income to support their families and to help them meet their children’s school fees.
Malaita Provincial Government Permanent Secretary, George Eric, said the development is being carried out under the CAUSE Project and will improve the working environment for vendors.
He said with compaction now completed; the next phase will include fencing and construction of a shed to protect vendors from sun and rain.
“Construction has reached site compaction. The next stage is fencing and building a shed to cover the area,” Mr Eric said.
He added that the next phase will take some time as it requires specialised planning and expertise to ensure the structure suits the site.
The new market comes at a time when clothes vendors in Auki are struggling with the lack of a proper selling space after previously operating at the NPF area.
Currently, many vendors are forced to rent small spaces around town to continue their daily sales.
Island Sun understands that selling clothes is a key source of income for many of these vendors, who rely on it to meet basic household needs.
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