Caubati (2) residents lead by example
The Caubati (2) Road is a fine example on how neighbourhoods by working together can come to the aid of the Nasinu Town Council.
The area looks well maintained. The grass along the road is cut, the drains are clean and it looks well maintained in a municipality where the Council is having challenges meeting the cost of required services.
This is because the residents of the area are doing it themselves. Headed by former football referee Suresh Behari and his son Kavitesh, the residents in a timely manner come together and do the chores that the Council had been unable to.
“The first thing I did was pay my rates. I owed $3000 and made arrangements with the Nasinu Town Council to pay it,” he said.
“The neighbourhood formed a Viber group and discussed ideas. And we get together to do the work that is required.”
The group also operates as a neighbourhood watch zone as well.w
Mr Behari believes that there is a sense of ownership for the area and this developed civic pride.
He said all it needed were people who knew what needed to be done to live a clean and safe neighbourhood.
Nasinu Town Council chief executive officer Anurashika Bari said a partnership and understanding was needed between ratepayers, residents and the Council. A large chunk of the current rates is being used for garbage collection leaving a minimum to carry out other services to satisfactory levels.
Ms Bari said there was $9 million owed to the Council in unpaid rates and arrears.