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overnor Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo was present as more than 800 street vendors officially relocated to Pasar Minggu wet market in South Jakarta on Wednesday.

Up to 843 street vendors officially moved inside the market building '€” most of the floors had been left empty '€” after years occupying streets near the area, which had become notorious for its horrendous traffic.

'€œWhen I visited this market three months ago, it looked dirty and we could see garbage everywhere. I hope vendors will work together to keep the market clean so regular customers will feel comfortable,'€ Jokowi told the vendors.

City-owned market operator PD Pasar Jaya president director Djangga Lubis said the vendors were assigned to different kiosks according to product and operating time.

'€œAs many as 153 vendors will move to the first floor in Block B, selling food staples, vegetables and the like and will operate in daytime. On the ground floor of Block C, 183 vendors will sell food staples and vegetables,'€ Djangga said.

'€œOn the first floor of Block C, 182 vendors are selling clothing, DVDs and tableware, while 221 vendors will be selling similar items on the ground floor of Block B. In Block F, 97 vendors will operate at night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., selling vegetables,'€ Djangga said.

He said the firm had waived kiosk rent for six months and promised to add facilities in the building compound, including improving parking areas and utilities.

'€œVendors will sign a contract and will not be allowed to sublease the kiosks to another party,'€ he said.

The street vendors welcomed the relocation, while hoping that the city administration would help them attract buyers to the market.

'€œI'€™ve been selling here for 30 years and I thank Pak Jokowi for his hard work. However, the market building is too shabby and I hope the city will revitalize the market in the near future,'€ M. Rizal, a vendor, said.

Another vendor, Erlina, shared this view. '€œIt'€™s more comfortable to be inside the building but I hope the city administration will help us attract more visitors,'€ she said. '€œI'€™m happy now knowing that I won'€™t be an object of raids anymore.'€

Rizal also hoped Jokowi would not build housing near the market.

'€œI heard the city planned to build a low-cost apartment in the compound. I disagree with the plan because the area might become a bit messy,'€ he said.

Jakarta Transportation Agency head Udar Pristono said the relocation would be positive for traffic conditions near the market.

'€œThey have relocated to where they belong so now the streets can function properly. Public minivans now can easily access the bus terminal [located next to the market],'€ Udar told The Jakarta Post.

City Council speaker Ferrial Sofyan said the city planned to allocate billions of rupiah for traditional market revitalization next year.

'€œWe plan to allocate about Rp 45 billion for market revitalization across the capital. The City Council will fully support the city'€™s program,'€ he said.

Ferrial pointed out that the city targeted market revitalization in 10 different locations next year.

The relocation in Pasar Minggu was part of the city'€™s massive relocation and market revitalization programs this year.

In September, the city administration relocated more than 700 street vendors occupying streets in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, to the nearby Block G building. During a visit to Block G on the same day, Jokowi called on vendors to be more creative in attracting customers.

'€œVendors are entrepreneurs. They should evaluate whether their products are not trendy or competitive enough if they feel sales aren'€™t too good,'€ he said.