A health inspection was carried out on Saturday, 5 April 2025, at the Fugalei Market to assess the overall cleanliness of the premises.
Led by the Minister of Health, Valasi Luapitofanua To’ogamaga Tafito Selesele, the inspection was conducted in response to growing complaints from members of the public about the lack of safety and health standards at the market.
Accompanying the minister on the rounds were the Minister of Public Enterprises (MPE), Leatinu’u Wayne So’oialo; the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster; their chief executive officers; and management and staff from the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC).
The Minister of Police, Faualo Harry Jeffrey Schuster, was not present, but Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo attended the inspection.
According to an official letter from the Minister of Health regarding the inspection, Valasi outlined several key reasons for the initiative:
- The management and proper monitoring of the use of assets, especially services that serve the public at the Flower Market, under the authority of the Ministry of Public Enterprises (MPE).
- The employment of personnel responsible for the monitoring and maintenance of public toilet facilities, organised under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
- The protection of public safety in shared spaces, especially from stray dogs, which falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Police and Prisons through its Dog Management Unit (DMU).
The minister stated that collaboration among ministries will ease the burden and, with support from God, the programme can be carried out successfully.
The Fugalei Market is managed by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) and provides a key community service, offering a clean and hygienic environment for farmers to sell fresh produce, handicrafts, and meals at its food court. It also includes a greenhouse.
During the visit, the ministers and CEOs toured the surveillance room located inside the ACC office at the market. This is where ACC staff monitor footage from the security cameras placed around the market, in collaboration with the Ministry of Police, Prisons and Corrections Services.
This article was originally published by Savali Newspaper on its FB page and has been republished with permission.
