The northern and eastern ends of Tobago will soon see two new public conveniences available for residents and tourists as they enjoy the island’s scenery.
Habitat for Humanity Trinidad and Tobago, in collaboration with the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), is executing the projects.
On Tuesday, sod-turning ceremonies were held at Mt. Dillon, Moriah, and the Speyside lookout.
National Director of Habitat for Humanity, Jennifer Massiah, noted that the charitable organisation offers support beyond housing solutions. She said the sod-turning for the construction of the washroom facilities is a testament to this.
“We are now taking it into a community focus. When you come to visit this beautiful, beautiful piece of spot, and if you want to have a nature moment, well, you have to do it with nature prior to now. After this initiative, you will have a proper bathroom.”
THA Secretary of Settlements and Rural Development, Ian Pollard, and Assistant Secretary, Orlando Kerr, commended Habitat for Humanity for their continued support, noting that the facilities are essential for tourism development.
Mr. Kerr stated, “When we started, it was about roofs; now we are looking at doing bathroom facilities, and this is one of the visions of this THA Executive, because we have been discussing doing bathroom facilities across the island because if we want to realise the greatest little island on the planet, then we must start in the direction of getting amenities for our citizens as well as our visitors.”
Habitat TT’s Programme Manager, Jamel Fraser, explained that the facilities will be constructed with Tobago’s climate in mind.
“This facility will allow for approximately four washroom stalls, and we are intent on using some methodologies that will allow the structure to withstand the sea blasts—such as the roof sheeting that will allow the system to last much longer than regular galvanised sheeting. The building will be clad with a barrier for the concrete that will allow it to withstand the sea blast infiltrating the steel, and the intention is to have a rainwater harvesting system to allow for the flushing of the toilets.”
A challenge was made to the contractors by the THA to complete the facilities in six weeks.