A flood of issues

HOW serious are we about our drainage system? Are we even serious about maintaining our roads to very high standards? Try travelling on some roads in and around the Capital City of Suva during heavy rain and you’ll notice how some roads are actually drains! Yes! A drainage system is virtually nil, and water flows onto the road.

The question then is whose responsibility is it to maintain roads? Our municipalities or the Fiji Roads Authority? In saying that, whose responsibility then is it to fix our drainage system?

The recent rains have exposed a harsh reality in Suva and Nasinu: our roads are struggling to function not just as thoroughfares, but also as drainage systems.

This raises critical questions about responsibility, safety, and long-term solutions.

Every year, we raise the issue of road safety. We talk about it and highlight challenges we feel should be addressed.

It’s a familiar issue and campaign every year. Yet, accidents continue to happen, sometimes with tragic consequences. We have long said that while individual responsibility and awareness are crucial, the very infrastructure we navigate also plays a vital role.

This is why we again raise this issue of road safety and factor in our roads.

The last thing we want is safety being compromised because roads are not up to standard.

But whose responsibility is it to fix this mess? We may point fingers at the FRA for unclear road markings and the lack of essential safety features like reflective paint and cat’s eyes. But the issue goes deeper.

Drainage systems, often neglected and inadequate, contribute significantly to the problem.

We need a collaborative approach, a united front against the dangers posed by a failing infrastructure. The FRA and the municipalities must work together to develop a comprehensive plan that addresses both issues — road safety and drainage.

We need to prioritise road safety features. It is dangerous driving in heavy rain in some parts of the Capital City and in Nasinu at night. You are unable to see the centreline and the edges of the roads in the face of oncoming vehicles at night.

Potholes are not covered urgently, and it comes at a cost for motor vehicle owners.

They end up paying to fix suspension systems, rattles on their vehicles, tyres and to correct wheel alignment. Someone needs to be held accountable for this mess!

In saying that, we need to invest in an adequate drainage system and we need to promote public awareness about the importance of safety on our roads, the need for proper drainage, encouraging responsible driving and advocating for infrastructure improvements.

Then there is the need for both the FRA and municipalities to be transparent about their plans and timelines to address these pressing issues.

Let’s move beyond the rhetoric and take concrete action to ensure that our roads are safe spaces for everyone.