GOVERNMENT has handed over another series of new roadside stalls to vegetables and fruit vendors in the Western Division.
These new, all-weather stalls were handed over at Naboro and in the Western division, at Sovi Bay, Batiri and Lomawai in Sigatoka and at Nawai, Nadi, as part of an initiative to improve the conditions and roadside safety of vendors.
In handing over the new stalls, Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism, Lands and Mineral Resources Faiyaz Koya said the initiative started last year and were now being rolled out right around Fiji.
“It’s great and wonderful for small enterprises and safer, in a clean environment to sell their produce,” Mr Koya said.
Epi Tabuavula, who started his stall in 2017, expressed gratitude for his newly constructed stall along the busy Sovi Bay highway.
He said upcoming street -lights in the area would also enable his enterprise to continue into the evening.
In Nawai, farming couple Tota Ram and Naul Mala Devi have been selling near the Momi Bay junction for around 30 years and were pleased with their new stall.
“We make good business here, and are very happy to now have a base that can withstand wet weather and is secure. We are very happy with the support from Government,” Mr Ram said.
Each stall cost around $20,000 each and constructed onsite, while leased free of charge (FOC) to vendors, who have signed annual lease agreements committing them to the upkeep of the stalls. These leases automatically qualify for renewal if the stalls are maintained well.
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