BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
IN preparation for this year’s commencement of the extension of the Kukum Highway phase-two project, roadside vending stalls at Lunga in east Honiara have been demolished forcing many street vendors to seek new available vending spaces.
The only market space currently available at Lunga is situated only a few meters away from where the demolishing exercise was carried out. According to Anisi Fiuta, a long-time vendor and resident of the Lunga community, the new space is inadequate to accommodate all the vendors, and clearly, a new site needs to be identified to accommodate more stalls.
Anisi Fiuta told SUNDAY ISLES that although vendors have accepted the demolition activity supported by the evacuation order, they also demand the Guadalcanal provincial government and National government to secure new land to accommodate and enable vendors to continue with their vending activities.
“The majority of vendors have no permanent jobs due to a lack of employment opportunities but rely on street vending to sustain their livelihood in Honiara City.
“Therefore, we call on relevant authorities including the Guadalcanal provincial government and National government to look into our problem and to support our livelihood by initiating a relocation plan for a new vending site to support our livelihood,” Anisi expressed.
He said currently most vendors are still struggling to find an area to set up their stalls, whilst a few lucky ones have been given temporary vending space by a Lunga resident to at least keep them going before they can find a new vending site.
“Since a majority of vendors have nowhere to go, my Uncle had decided to allow a small space within his area (next to the Lunga Bridge) for a small number of vendors to continue with their vending activities to support the livelihood of their families,” Anisi said.
More than 50 people in the Lunga Community are employed as street vendors, predominantly majority are mothers supported by their spouses. Street vending is a common sight in the hustle and bustle of Honiara and its outskirts.
Amongst the fortunate vendors given the temporary vending opportunity was woman betel nut vendor, Marisa Daomae, she described the recent situation as a major challenge for her family and expects the worst is yet to come if nothing is done by those responsible.
The mother of two noted that she has been vending at Lunga for more than a decade, just to support the livelihood of her family.
“For now, I am only given a week to find a new vending site; the next thing is to remove me and I don’t know where to go.
“I have been selling betel at Lunga roadside market for more than 20 years now. The purpose is to support my children’s education and the survival of my family.
“I don’t get support from the so-called Members of the Parliament (MPs),” Marisa said.
SUNDAY ISLES understands that street vending forms a vital part of the workforce in the Solomon Islands and employs a majority of our urban population in the country. Though it is not often approved, street vending is here to stay and will continue to be the source of income for most of our urban population over time. Simply, due to urban migration, lack of formal education, and low level of employment opportunities available in the country.
