Vendors at the Namaka Municipal Market in Nadi are increasingly expressing concerns about the rise of illegal street vendors who operate outside the market, impacting their sales and overall income. The situation has become more challenging for the 95 registered vendors who rely on foot traffic and patronage within the market itself.
Mariana Divikoca, the President of the Namaka Market Vendors Association, highlighted the difficulties facing these registered vendors. “At the moment, our business is not going very well. Mostly, our business was affected by those people who were selling on the street. What they have been doing is affecting our business here in the market,” she stated.
Divikoca also noted that there is ample space available within the market to accommodate these street vendors. She expressed hope that local authorities would take action to level the playing field for all vendors. “There is plenty more space in the market to accommodate all those vendors. And that’s the purpose of building this market. So they can all come and sell in the market,” she added.
The issue of illegal street vending is not unique to Nadi; similar frustrations have been voiced across different markets in the region. For instance, vendors at the Suva fish market have also reported challenges due to unregistered sellers, as they do not have to bear the same operating costs yet still sell competing products. This has led to calls for better support from local authorities to improve vendors’ working conditions and market fairness.
Kaitu’u Crocker, a long-time vendor at the Namaka Market for nearly three decades, emphasized that illegal street vending extends to areas around the airport and back roads, which further complicates their ability to sell produce successfully. Despite repeated complaints to the Nadi Town Council regarding street vendors, unresolved issues continue to plague those who are legally operating within the market.
In response to the growing concerns, Saliceni Raiwalui, the Special Administrator of the Nadi Town Council, announced that enforcement operations would commence this week to address the illegal street vending situation. He stated, “We will be beginning operations this week to look into the case and give notice to those selling without proper permits, and if they don’t follow, we’ll take them to court.”
The market vendors remain optimistic that these efforts will help restore balance to their commercial environment and improve business within the municipal market. The collective voices of these vendors underline the need for local authorities to engage in constructive dialogue and enforce regulatory measures that can help create a fairer marketplace for all.