Market vendor Luisa Reece has expressed satisfaction with the new Nakasi Market, describing it as a significant improvement for sellers to market their goods.
“We are truly thankful to the government for addressing our request to create a new market,” Ms. Reece stated. She recalled the challenges vendors faced at the previous Nakasi location, where they had to endure harsh weather conditions while trying to make a living.
Now, Ms. Reece appreciates that all vendors can operate from a single location. “Previously, most customers would drive by, and we struggled to serve them,” she noted. “In the new market, we can sit back and wait comfortably for customers to arrive.”
According to Ms. Reece, the new market proves to be more accessible for both vendors and their customers. “Customers can park their vehicles and stroll around to select vegetables and root crops,” she explained. “On the main road, there was always a rush, and customers missed the opportunity to inspect the fresh produce properly.”
She also recalled that vendors were previously chased away from temporary structures near the main road by the town council. “The new Nakasi Market brings many improvements that will assist us,” Ms. Reece mentioned. She highlighted that coming from Nayavutoka village in Ra is more convenient for her since it provides easier access to Korovou Town and Suva than Rakiraki Town.
“We only need to take one bus to reach Suva, which is why we sell our goods here,” she added. If she cannot sell all her produce, she allows other vendors to sell it on her behalf.
The new market offers a safe place for storage, alleviating the stress of transporting her products daily. “I sell lemons, pawpaws, pumpkin, and cassava brought from the village,” she said.
Ms. Reece often collaborates with her daughter to sell their produce and has a notable connection to the sports world, being the aunt of All Blacks rugby union player Sevu Reece through her cousin.