TUTONG

A NEW marketplace is currently under construction in Mukim Lamunin, providing a venue for local residents to sell their One Village, One Product (OVOP) goods.

The marketplace, situated at the Kg Lamunin Community Hall, will be ready by the end of the year, said Tutong District Officer Wardi Hj Mohd Ali during a community dialogue session with residents and grassroots leaders of Mukim Lamunin yesterday.

“This project is due for completion and can be fully utilised by Mukim Lamunin residents for selling during the weekends or fruit seasons,” he added.

Wardi explained that the upgrading of the community hall infrastructure with the construction of the marketplace was part of the government’s efforts to continually improve the welfare and prosperity of local residents. However, the cost of the marketplace was undisclosed.

He hoped the marketplace, fitted with at least 10 stalls, would increase exposure and sales of the OVOP goods produced by Mukim Lamunin residents.

Penghulu of Mukim Lamunin and Legislative Council member Yang Berhormat Hj Ramli Hj Lahit said the marketplace will serve as a platform for the local residents to showcase their potential by selling OVOP goods.

“This will enable us to increase our sales, particularly that of local fruits and crops,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Kg Lamunin Village Head and Kg Lamunin Consulative Council Chair, Major (Rtd) Said Hj Tinggal, was optimistic the marketplace would encourage more local residents to take up entrepreneurship by selling OVOP goods such as durian and kembayau.

He said the majority of Mukim Lamunin residents sold their goods at the district’s popular Tamu Serambangun, located approximately 21km away.

“Now that we have our own marketplace, our local residents will no longer have to travel to Tamu Serambangun to sell their goods,” said Major (Rtd) Said, anticipating the marketplace to draw more visitors to Mukim Lamunin.

According to Town and Country Planning Officer Mawarni Hj Ahmad, Mukim Lamunin is emerging into a township with an increasing amount of development projects.

“It is part of our plan to consider Mukim Lamunin as an area for public housing. Once the public housing has been built, the number of local residents will grow. From there, we will then upgrade the development projects to the level of township,” she said during the community dialogue session at the Kg Lamunin Community Hall.

The Brunei Times