Samoa's new Fugalei market has opened after nearly five months of delays.
The Government demolished the market in 2012 and originally planned to rebuild it 16 months later but the process was delayed by supplies shipped from China and communication difficulties.
Some vendors moved to privately owned markets or sold their goods on the streets in the meantime.
Fugalei Market, Apia Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
Our correspondent, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, says people are glad the market is finally open.
"They can't wait to come inside and start using it. Before the ceremony finished, all these farmers and small business people were lining up there wanting to grab the best spot for them to sell their goods but they were told to leave the market till the opening's all finished."
Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia says the market has six hundred spaces and is built on raised foundations to protect it from floods.
