By Fabian Hakalits – EMTV, Port Moresby
The new Lorengau Town Market has officially complied with the Food Safety Act, by having a separate wing for fish and other meats.
With this being the case, the market has a new structure that will be sure to benefit locals.
This new market, located in the heart of Lorengau, has been described as a model for other markets in Papua New Guinea.
It has three wings including fish and meat, eight boutique shops, a new female toilet block, renovated toilets, a realigned market fence, newly installed security lighting and new landscaping.
But what’s more noticeable is the fish and meat market being in its own building.
Manus is a maritime province where you are sure to find your favourite seafood; fish, octopus, squid or clamshell, mostly sold by vendors from the smaller outer islands like Haringa and Ahus.
We spoke to Gertrude Moses, a Haringa Islander, who said life depends on the seafood that they sell at the market.
Manus is one of the poorer resource provinces in PNG and people depend mostly on the sea for a living, Ahus Islanders Joelyn Korimat and Maria Peter Puchin told EMTV News.
They can earn up to K500 from the catch they sell, with this money used to cater for the family’s needs and wants.
The Manus Urban Council will ensure the market is always clean for use. Tax officers, like Mackalistair So-on, go around collecting tax and raising awareness on the importance of hygiene.
The new market was funded by the Australian Government at a cost of around K72 million, along with the support of the Manus Provincial Government.
