Informal sector

Fresh produce is mostly supplied by informal business operators; however, they tend to face several challenges that restrict them from meeting demand for the produce.

The National Research Institute (NRI) Spotlight Volume 16, Issue 8 titled “The Challenges faced by informal fresh produce vendors in Port Moresby” by Evelyn Malala, PNG NRI Project Research Officer, outlines the main types of challenges faced by informal fresh produce marketers and how the challenges can be addressed.

Challenges faced by informal fresh produce operators include the following:

For mothers in the informal sector, Christmas means more income.  

So while some were starting their celebrations for the day, Jenny Maipe and Annette Zephaniah were preparing for the big sell of the year.

Like the rest of those in the informal sector, it was business as usual.

Both sell daily at the Kinakon roadside market, on the outskirts of Port Moresby.

While they both understand that Christmas is a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus, Annette says it is one of those days they have many customers.

Parkop said he (Polye) must be in some dream land or  hallucinating. 

Parkop told Loop PNG that he never made such decision to remove informal sector from the city. 

“Did he hear me or was he present when I made such announcement? 

“As far as I am concern neither I, nor the Commission has made any such decision. 

“This was a decision made by the police based on their safety and security consideration. It is only a temporary decision to deal with security issues. The police made that very clear. 

“They said "until further notice". 

He said Parkop was to be blamed for all the informal sector problems in the city because his rogue policemen went on a rampage kicking and bullying the informal sector people in the city.

He said Parkop must look at solving ethnicity problems and support the informal sector in the city.

Polye added that people have to survive in this demanding city and Parkop really need to come up with some solutions for the formal sector.

“People need to survive in the city as the cost of the living is very high.

She moved to Kimbe 15 years ago when her husband, a local pastor with the AOG church, moved to the West New Britain capital.

They have 9 children, of which 4 are females and 5 males. Out of the 9 children 4 have married and are living with their families.

Life looking after their children and taking care of them is a challenge.

To make ends meet, she has to toil daily at the market in the hot sun or sometimes rainy weather.

Jerry Are and his wife Jenny share similar stories like many unemployed people in the city who have left their village for the capital city, searching for opportunities for a better life.

The couple told Loop PNG that their informal business of selling pot plants and flower cuttings had helped them to survive in the city but they want the city authorities to assist them to expand their trade.

 “We thank NCDC for allowing us to market at roadsides, but we need a proper market place, training and funding to grow our business,” Jerry said in Tok Pisin.