Women along the Tabia/Naduri Coastal Road are capitalising on the road being used as an alternative to and from Labasa.

They have set up roadside stalls to sell handicraft, farm produce, and seafood to the travelling public using this route while the FRA works on a new road at Korosomo, along Cross Island Road.

57-year-old Vaciseva Didrave of Korotubu Village says she normally takes her produce to Labasa by bus on Saturdays.

With her roadside market, she merely walks out of her house and into the stall, ready to sell.

Alisi Caba of Sasa Village says the opening up of the alternative route has allowed them to sell their goods every day and they can re-stock their stalls up to three times a day.

There are roughly seven villages along the Tabia/Naduri Coastal Road and each now has roadside stalls.

62-year-old Makereta Forster sells fish parcels in the morning and fresh fish in the afternoon.

She told FBC News, the roadside sales is good for her as she often runs out of fish bundles to sell.

Patricia Whippy of Korotubu Village says she gets $35 to $40 a day from selling her produce and it’s helping address the needs of her family.