New K8m market opened

Caption: Prime Minister O’Neill cutting the ribbon to open the new Koki Market.

Caption: PM taking time to chat with a seller in the new market. 

By MATTHEW VARI

Wednesday, February 4, 2015 (Midweek Chronicle, PNG)

THE New Koki market was opened yesterday by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill accompanied by Ministers of cabinet, high ranking government officials, diplomats, and the business community.

With a total investment of K8 million, for the project came from the national government, NCDC, and the Member for Moresby South, through a partnership arrangement.

Member for Moresby South Justin Tkatchenko said that the market would bring a lot of change into the Koki areas in his district, compared to its condition before the transformation.

“Koki market use to be absolutely disgusting, people were selling their produce like they were in a rubbish dump,” Tkatchenko said.

“This market now comes under the management of the Moresby South Market Board just like Sabama market and it is funded by NCDC, thank the Governor (Powes Parkop) and the city administration.”

“The market has been broken up into different ethnic groups, which is the way the people wanted it from our Eastern Highlanders, to our Goilalas, Southern Highlanders, Central, and so on.”

He highlighted the special historical relationship the market had with the people of Central Province, adding that special sections were built to cater for seller from seller from Rigo and Abau I the Central province.

“We have embraced the relationship by putting in the market special locations and special buildings just for the people of Abau and Rigo,” he said.

“Koki market has 9 new selling stalls, has brand new toilets, new market office and 36 new kiosks to house small shops for Papua New Guineans only to own.’

“I would also like to thank the contractor, Phoenix Construction; they have done a fantastic job- the whole thing is made out of steel and concrete because we want it to last for a long time.”

“We have a new management of the market with new securities, cleaners, management that are taken from the community for the operation of the market.”

NCD Governor Powes Parkop elaborated further on the relation of the market to the Central province, bearing reference to the Wnaigela Community that settle next to the market as traders and a symbol of the strong history.

“Our Wanigela people from Koki are a symbol of the history this market have when they left their traditional homes to come and settle here,” Parkop

“Our central people have a very good culture of respect.- since the central people have moved out the rest of the people have gone in the market fighting, killing, stealing- it is a fact.”

“The national government has put a large sum of money, DSIP, PSIP, and the market has improved in all areas now so we must change ourselves.”

Prime Minister O’Neill hailed the Member for Moresby North West for his tireless efforts in changing the district and reassured those present of the government’s support towards future projects initiated.

“I thank the member who has gone ahead to bring change to the district, and we at the national government have the belief in him and that he is the one to change Moresby South after so many years of neglect,” the prime minister said.

“It is not only politics but we must bring services- and as the government, since 2012, we all know how our country was and now we are bringing a lot of change because we have committed leaders in Port Moresby.”

“Now our Members have got their DSIPs, a lot of people have been critical of the program, but we have deliberately put this kind of monies in to bring in these kinds of services.”

The paid tribute to all the parents that worked tirelessly to bring in produce to sell in markets across the city- adding that it was a sacrifice that was admirable.

“I would like to thanks the mothers and father and their sacrifice to makes and grow produce to sell is not an easy sacrifice, we must support our sellers.”

“All these markets will have good facilities as well- we want a place where there are opportunities for parents so that we can make sure that they make use of them.”