Watch your step

FELIX Chaudhary and Sophie Ralulu from The Fiji Times deserve a pat as they were brave enough to explore Naisogowaluvu and Nawaigasa settlements in Delainavesi, Lami and reveal the challenges the villagers faced.

I’m grateful to the duo and to The Fiji Times for reaching out to the settlements for readers have been enlightened with their struggles.

The report and picture on the front page (FT: 03/07) about the flight of 200 steep, slippery and treacherous stairs was heartbreaking.

According to the settlement headman Osea Waqavakacegu, people had died, fallen and hurt themselves over the past seven decades.

He also said sick people had to be carried up the stairs and pregnant women had given birth at home because of the challenges posed by the stairway.

The incidents relayed by Osea were touching. The saddening part is that the settlements are close to Suva yet the villagers are struggling.

The Fiji Council of Social Services workshop which was conducted this week was covered well by The Fiji Times.

Hence, some important pressing issues came to the front.

I’m hopeful that the villagers’ plight will be addressed by the relevant authorities as they are aware of what the villagers are going through.

Once again, when it mattered

Times has delivered.

RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM

Nadawa, Nasinu

The Fiji