Better roads allow access to Government services
Improving infrastructure will allow northerners to access Government services as well as ability to initiate income generation opportunities.
This was evident across most villages that Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka visited during his twoweeks tour of the Northern Division, which ended last Friday in Taveuni.
Village headmen, elders, youths and parents have called for better road infrastructure.
In response, Mr Rabuka, said previous Governments had done it’s part to maintain and improve road infrastructure and he reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to make things better.
“Let us improve on what we already have before we venture into building new ones and that will continue to be the case although there are plans for some capital works or infrastructure to be put in, new ones,” he said.
“Capital works include the widening of roads, improving the repair needed bridges and tar sealing of roads.”
People hopeful
Wainunu District rep (Mata ni Tikina), Epeli Matawalu, emphasised the need for road repairs in the district because conditions could be improved.
Mr Matawalu reiterated that seven villages and 55 settlements, with a population of more than 2000 people, depended on better road conditions to transport agricultural produce, students to school and patients to the nearest hospital at Nabouwalu.
The Vunivalu of Nabekavu at Nakalou Village, Ratu Beni Beranamo, sought clarification from Government on the village road leading to Nakalou.
He claimed no bus operators serviced the route because they deemed it unsafe for travel.
In response, Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) liaison officer, Imanueli Lekenaua, confirmed the road was safe to use after being repaired following a slip of one section of the road (underside of the hill) about 10-12 metres in late February this
year.
“It was not a major slip and vehicles are accessing the road, including Rural Service Licenced (RSL) vehicles,” he said.
“We have ensured our responsibility is fulfilled and service is provided to villagers.”
Challenges
Ratu Beni said students, farmers and fishermen were affected because the cost associated with hiring vehicles was expensive and villagers had to divert their savings for transportation.