A Labasa market vendor in Labasa is urging Government to consider reducing the cost of stall fee to help ease financial burden on vendors. Amrika Prasad, who has been a vendor at the Labasa Market for many year, believes the stall fee of $15 per week is expensive. He proposed if the Local Government decision-makers could reduce it to $10 per week, to help vendors makes ends meet at the end of the day. “We have to pay a lot of fees, pay renewals for health license too, so we hardly make enough to sustain us and our needs,” he said. “Business is slack as well with many days not being profitable.” The proposal is for stall fees to be reduced to a level, which is suitable to both the Labasa Town Council and vendors. There is also a request for the council to rectify safety concerns, like the uneven floor surface at the market. The deteriorated state of the floor had led to many falling victim to injuries so it is also dangerous for our customers as well. Mr Prasad said the market had poor sanitation issues where a drainage outlet covered by a ply board emitted foul smell. Vendors and customers alike face this unhealthy situation as they endure this smell. The interior of the market needs a facelift and Mr Prasad claimed the area had not been painted for a decade now. Mr Prasad said the council made good revenue from market stall fees, yet maintenance efforts remain questionable. The council collected market stall fees amounting to $850,000 yearly. Labasa Town Council special administrator chairperson, Paul Jaduram, said he understood the urgent need for maintenance of the market. He assured vendors that after the completion of the fish market maintenance, work on the Labasa market floor would be done. “We will level the surface of flooring to avoid any injuries or falls from tripping on the uneven surface,” he said. Mr Jaduram called for patience. Feedback: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj