Another great initiative, Melissa Skerrit provides colourful pods to vendors

Roseau, Dominica: Recently, member of the House of Assembly for the Roseau Central constituency, Melissa Poponne-Skerrit and Ministry of Tourism, joined hands and created colourful vending pods/ cubes at the Bayfront of Roseau.

These newly constructed colourful cubes will replace the tents of the vendors.

While informing about these eye-catching and colourful, Parliamentary Representative of the Roseau constituency asked, “Do you believe that these vending pods could be a viable option for the street vendors in Roseau who ply their goods under tarpaulin tents?”

She further stated that her team painted the pods with appealing colours to make them more attractive to live.

She added that they could also be placed on the many abandoned lots which have become an eyesore in the city.

As the update was shared by Melissa Skeritt, the residents filled the comment section with filled with suggestions for the pods. One of the users suggested installing running water and sinks as well as a communal toilet facility which would aid the vendors and customers. “This is great, please also include sinks and running water and a communal toilet facility for the vendors and customers. Possibly create a cooperative for the vendors where they contribute towards the maintenance of this, it will also ensure that the project is sustained after the initial capital injection from the state,” the comment read.

Yet another suggested installing wheels underneath the tent houses, which would help the vendors to taken their homes to the tourist places (from one season to another). “They should have wheels underneath so the vendors could go elsewhere and do vending when tourist season close or even slow slow ( which it’s normally),” the user wrote.

The third one said it was a “clever and creative” initiative, the comment read, “This is very clever and creative, this will look good and attract tourists. Roseau needs some colour. This will create more employment. But more importantly needs more toilets and sinks. These portable pods would also be a good idea to help house the homeless of the streets of Roseau.”

Melissa Skerrit has been continuously working for the residents of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Recently, after the completion of the 51-climate resistant houses in Roseau Central, Ms Skerrit announced that these would be provided to the ‘deserving’ families as the government has received more than 1,000 applications. These houses would be allotted in the month of February.