Over five “mama vendors” from Tutuba Island, Sanma Province, are in urgent need of a proper space to sell their cooked food in Luganville. These dedicated women have been selling their food for over 10 years without access to a suitable stall or facility.
Esther Moli, one of the vendors from Veoa Village, Tutuba Island, shared her frustration with VBTC, stating, “We sell here, but we don’t have a proper house to stand in. There are no sanitary stations or toilets. We have to stand on the footpaths near garbage bins to sell our food. We need help to get a proper house to sell from, just like other mothers in Luganville Town.”
Deputy Mayor of Luganville, Onen Gaviga, expressed his support for the vendors, acknowledging the vital role they play in the community. “The Council is in discussions with local businesses to secure a better space for these mothers to ensure they have a proper and safe area to sell their food,” Gaviga said.
For Mrs. Moli and her fellow vendors, the market is their primary source of income, and having a designated, sanitary space would significantly improve their working conditions and support their livelihoods.
