Damaged hillside
THE ongoing damage to the hillside in Delainavesi, Lami was first raised with the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Department of Environment in September, 2023.
It was later raised with the relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Local Government, Department of Town & Country Planning, Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, and the iTaukei Lands Trust Board.
The sad part is that no substantive response has been received todate. It reminds me of Savenaca Narube’s concern about the slow pace of progress or development on just about any issue under this Government.
Our concern in the Delainavesi and Lami community is not only on the ugly scar created on this hillside, and the resulting damage to the environment, but also the over 30 feet cliff that has been created is in itself a danger to our surrounding community.
We continued to witness though the busy daily excavation and carriage of soil and rocks from the site obviously sold and used elsewhere.
We are bewildered as to what type of development was approved by the authorities for this site.
The least the authorities could have done was inform the Delainavesi, Lami community of this project beforehand.
With the current state of affairs, we are wondering how the authorities and the owners of this development will convert and adjust this scarred and damaged hillside to something meaningful.
The authorities concerned owe the Delainavesi, Lami community and the public at large some urgent and serious explanation.
SAVERIO BALEIKANACEA Delainavesi, Lami