Dust and shortage of rubbish bins at the Lakatoro Market in Malekula are a major concern for market vendors because it spoils the food and it’s the only place where they sleep.

VBTC News spoke with a woman from Northwest Malekula who said they are unhappy because of the dust.

“They don’t wash the soil, so when we place our products and the wind blows, it spoils our food. We have a shortage of rubbish bins; they put them too close to us, and when we breathe, we breathe in bad smells. When we want to sleep, the area is bad, we put mats down in daylight, and we can’t breathe good air.”

Another woman from Rano, in Northeast Malekula, said the market fees start from VT500, and the services must be improved.

“If we sleep for three nights, I pay VT1,500. Before, the food was cheap, but now it’s getting expensive. People see the food is expensive because we pay transport and also pay for the toilet.”

During Malampa Day, VBTC News witnessed the ongoing extension work at the Lakatoro Market House, costing over VT4 million.

Malampa SG Germaine Ludvaune said the project aims to provide better space for vendors.

The project, partly funded by the French Government, is expected to finish in December.