A new initiative aimed at enhancing safety in Fiji’s marketplaces has been launched following the signing of a partnership agreement designed to reduce drug-related activities, theft, and violence that affect both vendors and shoppers. The Memorandum of Understanding was formalized in a ceremony held in Suva, with representatives from the Ministry of Local Government, Fiji Police Force, municipal councils, and Market Vendor Associations in attendance. The initiative is further supported by UN Women through their Markets for Change (M4C) project.
Minister for Local Government Maciu Nalumisa endorsed the collaboration, asserting, “Let it be known that our market vendors stand with the municipal councils to support Police in fighting against drugs,” thereby presenting a united front against crime within the market areas.
Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu underscored the notion that improving safety cannot fall solely on the shoulders of law enforcement. He announced plans for new surveillance measures, including the installation of CCTV cameras with facial recognition capabilities, to enhance security in public areas. “Police cannot fight crime alone — today’s signing strengthens our collective effort to keep public places safe,” Tudravu remarked.
Alison Davidian, UN Women Representative, emphasized the significance of community trust in ensuring safety at markets, emphasizing that the responsibility for safety lies with everyone. The initiative also receives support from the Australian Government, which backs efforts to improve market safety and empower women vendors under the M4C program.
This agreement signifies ongoing efforts in Fiji to foster a safer environment for market operations. Such collaborative approaches, along with increased investments in surveillance, are geared not only towards addressing criminal activities but also towards enhancing community participation in creating a safe market experience.
Additionally, recent training workshops under the M4C project have worked to enhance the entrepreneurial skills of market vendors, providing them with essential business knowledge to improve their operations and increase income potential. This comprehensive strategy highlights a commitment to not only bolster safety but also to develop stronger, more resilient local economies throughout Fiji.
The combined efforts to reinforce market safety and empower vendors reflect a promising direction toward creating safer, more dynamic community spaces, heralding a more secure future for all stakeholders involved.