| Abdul Hakiim Yakof |
THE newly opened Gadong night market is set to become the favourite place of Bruneians to look for a wide variety of affordable hawker food, fruits, vegetables, local pastries and clothing.
Located near the bridge linking Simpang 137 and Simpang 37, the revamped market offers an attractive shopping spot on the banks of Gadong river.
However, on the first day itself, many vendors expressed dissatisfaction over the relocation from their earlier area nearby the Gadong fish market which according to them was more comfortable.
One of their complaints is that the roof of the new market structure is built too high, exposing them to the scorching afternoon sun as well as heavy rain.
“During heavy rainfall, goods such as clothes and food get soaked and in the afternoon we won’t have much shade from the sun. It is going to be really difficult during the upcoming Ramadhan season. We hope that the relevant authorities will fix awnings so that the weather won’t affect our business,” a vendor said.
Long queue of vehicles leading towards the new Gadong night market location. – ABDUL HAKIIM YAKOF
Some complained that facilities such as restrooms and surau are not provided at the new site and they would have to walk all the way to the fish market to take rest and pray.
The road entrance to the night market is also too narrow which will affect transportation of goods to the market, some vendors pointed out.
“There have been several relocations of the Gadong night market, and this is the first time I have been asked to pay a $30 fee for electricity. This is the same amount I pay for electricity in my home. Altogether, including rent and garbage disposal, a vendor has to shell out $120 monthly,” another vendor said.
“This site was initially built for the operators from Tamu Kianggeh, but now that they have refused to move in, the night market operators have been asked to come in by the BSB Municipal Department. Before building the market they (authorities) should have made sure that the parties being relocated are willing to shift, but now they have used us to cover their mistakes,” he added.
“Before asking us to relocate to this area, they should have gathered our suggestions and then made improvements. We have no problem with relocating,” the vendor said.
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