By Lillian Keneqa – EMTV News, Alotau
Alotau Town officially opened their Temporary and Informal Markets on Saturday, July 21.
The construction of the temporary markets, which was funded by the National Fisheries Authority, cost 5.1 million Kina.
These markets will now give way to the demolition and construction work on the main project which is the Alotau Town Market and Fisheries Facilities Project.
The opening of the temporary and informal markets marked another key milestone for the township of Alotau and will now make way for the demolition and reconstruction of the main project, which is the Alotau Town and Market Fisheries Facilities.
This project is funded through a K33 million grant from the Government of Japan through its major development partner JICA.
“I am impressed that these two buildings are of steel structure, well designed and constructed. I am aware that one of these buildings will later be converted to be a ‘Carvers Corner’ to accommodate local carvers and vendors.” Fisheries Minister, Patrick Basa said.
Ambassador of Japan to PNG, Satoshi Nakajima, said it is his hope that the market will help Milne Bay province and the economy.
This was his first time in Alotau and he was impressed with the new infrastructure and culture.
“We will do our best to complete the market through the rehabilitation project through the timeline as is expected,” Nakajima told EMTV News.
The signing of the Contract for the Alotau Town Market and Fisheries Facilities Project will take place on the 10th of August 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.
Minister Basa is confident and remains committed to delivering this project within 16 – 18 months. He said, “Today’s event does not mark the completion of the Alotau Town Market and Fisheries Facilities project, but rather clearing the pathway for the full construction of the main market.”
