STREET LIGHTS
The primary benefit of street lights is safety for pedestrians and drivers. Non-functional streetlights reduce visibility in the dark and increase the vulnerability of road users to accidents and mishaps. Street lighting provides a number of important benefits. It can be used to promote security in urban areas and to increase the quality of life by artificially extending the hours in which it is light so that an activity can take place. Street lighting also improves safety for drivers and pedestrians and beautifies the place adding on a great deal of warmth and protection for all. It is pleasing to note that in the new budget the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) was allocated about $20.5m to cover for the new installation of street lights in rural, peri urban and urban areas. As you drive along the main roads the planners have considered the environmental impact and acknowledgement must be given to them for utilising the solar concept. I believe that this programme has two equally important equations to the concept. One is the installation process and the other part, which is totally ignored, is the servicing and the maintenance of the assets. There are street lights which went out years ago and are still in the default mode. There is no mechanism in place that FRA authority has to monitor such problems and on the other hand the new installation is on the increase adding enormous pressure to the organisation. This is a nationwide problem and many of the residents do not know who to contact if there is a fault in their area. I believe there should be a toll-free number to call and on the same note the FRA must have a system where they conduct the audit themselves and act proactively to ensure the safety of the general public. The street lights must be serviced at regular intervals so that the infrastructure is reliable, effective and efficient. The valuable assets must be fit for the purpose and not just be a decorative portion of the pole. SATISH NAKCHED is our first Letter of the Week winner for the month of November.