Locals fear for safety
RESIDENTS living in Malau are worried about their safety because they feel they’re exposed to activities happening at the quarantined Fiji Forest Industries quarters.
The residents are worried because security officers based at the main gate to the FFI mill sit less than five metres from the table where food are dropped off for those in quarantine.
Speaking on behalf of the residents, Epeli Asaisea said since the soldiers arrived in Malau to occupy the closed FFI quarters, there had been no awareness or advice given to the residents.
“The children and adults are out and about every day and vehicles keep visiting the quarantine centre and drive right pass us,” he said.
“A shop sits next to the gate and villagers go there every day so when people come and drop off food it’s dropped off at the table and those looking after those at quarantine come down to pick.
“When they come down to pick, they are all dressed up with protective garments but the security officers are in the booth not far from them.
“These security officers then go by public bus to town and freely move around. We are exposed and we fear for our safety.”
Mr Asaisea said no tapes have been put up to cordon off the area and health officials haven’t informed them of anything regarding the quarantine procedures.
“We are in the dark and it’s not fair because things are happening right under our nose.
“As landowners, we should have been advised about the quarantine centre being set up in the area.
“It’s only fair and we should be informed of things happening right under our noses for our own safety.
“We can’t even access our farms because we usually cross through the mill where the quarantine now sits so we have to go by boat costing us more money.”
The Ministry of Health’s permanent secretary Dr James Fong has not responded to the questions sent.