Andrew Solomon Napuat

The Ministry of Internal Affairs, in partnership with the UN Women’s Markets for Change, have formalised contracts yesterday for the construction of three new market infrastructures.

Minster of Internal Affairs, Andrew Napuat signed the building contracts with local contractors to build at Beverly Hills, Emua and Melemat.

“This is categorised as a Government flagship programme under the Ministry to decentralize Government services to rural communities in order to ensure development programmes reach their targeted goals and are inclusive,” said Minister Napuat.

“This will also be given as an opportunity for everyone’s involvement, both men and women, with no gender discrimination to social and economic empowerment, specifically market vendors.

“Moreover, we aim in reaching out to all provinces to empower market vendors.”

Napuat said the Council of Ministers have endorsed in the initiative at hand as well as the Tender Board who have examined the contracts.

“But most importantly, we need to give the opportunity to work more with local contractors.”

Country Programme Coordinator for the UN Women’s Market for Change, Betty Zinner-Toa shared her gratitude to the Minster for the significant partnership over the fruitful years.

“75% of the population are rural communities, it is very important that we empower them to become local entrepreneurs,” she said.

“With these inclusive infrastructures, with provided toilet and shower facilities for market vendors to conduct their businesses easily.

“This will become a huge impact and will contribute greatly to livelihoods of the people in the market business.”

The construction projects will commence on September 30 and are expected to be completed by December 6.

source:Vanuatu daily post