ABOUT 50 women selling food at Natovi Jetty are hoping for government assistance to help improve their working conditions as passenger numbers continue to rise.
Veteran vendor Madelene Yalimai, 62, said the jetty had become a vital stop for travellers from Lomaiviti and Vanua Levu, especially during the festive season, with many passengers stopping to purchase meals and essentials.
“This Christmas season has been very good for us,” Ms Yalimai said. “A lot of people travelling back and forth stop to buy food here.”
Ms Yalimai, who has been selling at the jetty since she was 15, recently opened the first BBQ stall at Natovi, adding to the growing number of food vendors operating in the area. She said the increase in sellers and customers showed the need for better infrastructure.
“There are many women selling now, but we don’t have proper stalls to cater for the number of people stopping by,” she said.
Currently, vendors operate from makeshift stalls, selling roti parcels, fish meals, BBQ, fruits, and snacks — items many travellers rely on during long journeys.
Ms Yalimai said proper food stalls would not only improve hygiene and safety but also help women earn a stable income to support their families.
“For many of us, this is how we survive and pay for our children’s education,” she said.
She hopes authorities will recognise the role the vendors play in supporting travellers and local livelihoods and help them continue selling at the jetty with dignity.
“This place feeds many families.”
