Luisa Reece, a market vendor, expresses her appreciation for the newly constructed Nakasi Market, stating it significantly enhances the selling experience for vendors.
“We are really grateful to the government’s response to our request to build a market,” Ms. Reece shared.
Previously, vendors endured difficult conditions, having to sell their goods while exposed to rain and sun. “Everyone is struggling to survive,” she noted, highlighting the challenges they faced. Now, she is pleased that vendors can operate under one roof.
“Previously, most customers would just drive by, which made it hard for us to serve them effectively,” she remarked. “Now, inside the new market, we can sit back and wait for customers.”
Ms. Reece also mentioned the new market’s convenient location, benefiting both vendors and customers alike. “Customers can park their vehicles and stroll around to purchase vegetables and root crops,” she said. In the past, at the main road, customers were often in a rush and couldn’t fully appreciate the selection of produce.
She recalled how town officials would frequently remove vendors from their temporary setups along the main road. “In the new Nakasi Market, we are seeing many improvements that will help us,” she stated, adding that she hails from Nayavutoka village in Ra, which is more accessible to Korovou Town and Suva than to Rakiraki Town.
Traveling to Rakiraki requires her to take two buses, while a single bus ride can bring her to Suva, which is why she chooses to sell in this area.
“If I don’t sell all of my produce, I leave it with other vendors to sell on my behalf,” Ms. Reece explained, highlighting the communal support among them. She also noted the benefits of having a designated safe space to store their produce in the new market.
“There is no rush and hassle of transporting goods in and out every day. I sell lemons, pawpaws, pumpkin, and cassava that we’ve brought from the village,” she added, mentioning that her daughter often assists her in selling their goods.
Additionally, Ms. Reece has a notable connection, as she is the aunt of Sevu Reece, a winger for the All Blacks rugby union team, being a cousin to Sevu’s father.