by Theckla Gunga – EM TV, Port Moresby
The influx of customers into Kwikila Station’s main market has singled the need for a bigger market facility.
It comes as more people are travelling into Kwikila from the two neighboring districts, including Port Moresby.
To accommodate this, the Rigo Central Local Level Government is now planning to construct a bigger market facility.
Kwikila Station is an hour’s drive from Port Moresby and is home to over 5,000 people.
Situated between Kairiku-Hiri and Abau districts, the pre-independence station plays a central venue for villagers along the Magi Highway as an access point for basic government services.
Rigo Central Local Level Government President, Freddy Silona, says he has been working closely with his LLG officers and local member Ano Pala to ensure a bigger market is built quickly.
Kwikila is one of the first government stations that was established in Central apart from Bereina, Tapini and Kupiano.
In recent years, its market has seen an increase in demand for garden food and vegetables.
This has attracted more vendors resulting in overcrowding and often vendors are forced to sell their produce on dirt.
Realising this, the LLG plans to pull down the current market and replace it with a more appropriate building to accommodate more vendors.
A market building plan was already summited to the Lands and Physical Planning Department and the LLG is only awaiting the ‘Go Ahead’.
The proposed market will include a new fence, bigger market stalls and proper water and electricity facilities.
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