Fiji Sun

Soldiers Clear Debris Along Suva-Nausori Corridor

3FIR assists many including SODELPA MP Niko Nawaikula.

- SHALVEEN CHAND Edited by Jonathan Bryce Feedback: shalveen.chand@fijisun.com.fj

It was a busy day, yesterday, for members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Third Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment (3FIR). They began clearing debris along the Suva-Nausori corridor after Tropical Cyclone Harold wreaked havoc through parts of the country.

This was being done with the assistance of the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle, which has been used during Humanitari­an Assistance Disaster Relief operations in the country.

The team was at the Waidamudam­u Settlement helping many, including SODELPA Member of Parliament, Niko Nawaikula. Mr Nawaikula said trees in front of his home were damaged by the tornado that was felt before TC Harold.

“It was around 4.30am in the morning. The winds whistled, the house was shaking and the intensity of the wind was constant and not like a cyclone,” he said.

“The trees were uprooted and we saw my neighbour’s roof being pulled off. My family and I made our way out of the house and went for safety, out of the path of the tornado.”

Mr Nawaikula and his family members were not injured in the ordeal.

The RFMF troops cleared the trees which were blocking the entrance of the road to Waidamudam­u.

Minister of Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs, Inia Seriratu, Minister for Infrastruc­ture, Transport, Disaster Management and Meteorolog­ical Services, Jone Usamate, Minister of Health and Medical Services, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabet­e and the Commander of the RFMF Rear-Admiral Viliame Naupoto paid a visit to the team.

The RFMF troops will continue to clear debris left by TC Harold throughout this week.

 ?? Photo: RFMF Media Cell ?? Members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Third Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment (3FIR) using the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle to help clear debris from the Suva-Nausori corridor on April 9, 2020.
Photo: RFMF Media Cell Members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Third Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment (3FIR) using the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle to help clear debris from the Suva-Nausori corridor on April 9, 2020.
 ?? Photo: RFMF Media Cell ?? SODELPA MP Niko Nawaikula with Fijian 7s rugby players and RFMF troops Alosio Naduva and Aminiasi Tuimaba.
Photo: RFMF Media Cell SODELPA MP Niko Nawaikula with Fijian 7s rugby players and RFMF troops Alosio Naduva and Aminiasi Tuimaba.

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