Market vendor Luisa Reece expressed her appreciation for the newly constructed Nakasi Market, noting it significantly enhances the selling experience for vendors.
“We are truly thankful to the government for addressing our request to establish a market,” Ms. Reece stated. She highlighted the challenges vendors faced at the previous location, where they were exposed to rain and sun.
“It’s a struggle for everyone to make a living,” she added, emphasizing the benefits of selling under one roof at the new site. “Previously, the majority of customers would just drive by, leaving us to fight to serve them. Now, we can relax and wait for customers to come.”
According to Ms. Reece, the new market’s location is advantageous for both vendors and shoppers. “Customers can park their cars and stroll around to purchase vegetables and root crops,” she explained. She noted that at the old location by the main road, customers were often too rushed to properly examine the produce available.
Ms. Reece recalled how the town council would frequently remove vendors from the old temporary sheds near the main road. “The new Nakasi Market will provide many improvements that will support our efforts,” she said.
Originating from Nayavutoka village in Ra, Ms. Reece noted that the new market is more accessible to Korovou Town and Suva compared to Rakiraki Town, which requires a two-bus journey from her village, while Suva only takes one bus.
“If I can’t sell all of my produce, I leave it with the other vendors to sell for me,” she mentioned, adding that the new market allows for safer storage of their goods.
“There is no more hassle of moving products in and out every day. I sell lemons, pawpaws, pumpkin, and cassava that we’ve brought from the village,” she explained. Ms. Reece typically assists her daughter in selling their goods and is related to All Blacks rugby union player Sevu Reece, as she is a cousin of his father.