Suva City street hazards

Satish Nakched, Suva

The footpaths of the Suva City are becoming a risky place to walk around due to the many uncovered chambers, missing bricks on the pavement and rusted manhole covering with corroded edges.

A slip of a foot in the treacherous openings can cause a disastrous health situation to the many unsuspecting people.

Just a stone throw from the Suva City Council Office along the Victoria Parade are many bars where people frequent the outlets during night and this poses the greatest risk due to poor visibility and the intoxicated nature of the patrons.

The worry factors are that these hazards are there since donkey’s years especially the cracks and the uneven surface of the concrete walkway without any safety improvements implemented.

At the traffic light end of Nina Street, a sheet of iron was placed to cover a chamber that has sharp metal edges on all the corners protruding outwards and done without considering pedestrian safety.

I believe that the management team of the municipality must take a fact finding walk with a note book and conduct a risk assessment of the central business district of its jurisdiction with the view to improve the sidewalks that needs to be consistent, stable, slip-resistant and designed to facilitate drainage.

Recently the port of Suva won the Oceania’s best cruise terminal at the World Cruise Awards 2021 and the City of Suva must be in par to foster tourism growth, innovation and implement a safer environment for anybody visiting the capital city.

I also take this opportunity to wish all the readers a Merry Christmas.