Good news for vendors at the Kokopo main market in East New Britain (ENB) province- they now have access to a new storage facility, commissioned on November 11, 2024, by the ENB Provincial Market Authority (ENBPMA). The new facility replaces the old storage cabin, which was considered unhygienic and prone to theft. ENBPMA CEO Mr. Peter Lapim emphasized the importance of the new facility, stating, "We continue to receive complaints of goods being stolen or not being properly maintained at the yard." "With the new facility, we can all be assured that all of our vendors’ goods and products will be properly kept at the storage facility." The facility cost approximately K20,000 to build and has a dedicated staff member responsible for overseeing it. This person will handle the registration of all goods stored and maintain records of all assets used at the market. Lapim urged market officers to be dedicated to their roles, saying, “Whether you’re looking after the toilet or collecting tickets, you all must do your roles with care.” The Kokopo market, which opened in 2010, is also undergoing minor repairs to prevent further deterioration of its infrastructure. "We don’t want to deal with major issues that may halt the operations of the market," Mr. Lapim added.