Roko Tui Suva condemns billboard vandals
‘It is not good. People who are doing this should be questioned and taken to task.’
Defacing of campaign billboards is an unacceptable and unlawful act. This was the response by the Roko Tui Suva Sanaila Mudunavosa while speaking to the Fiji Sun yesterday.
He was reacting to how the FijiFirst billboard next to the Vugalei Bridge in Lami was vandalised on Tuesday.
It was later cleaned up by the workers of Go Advertising on the same day.
On Thursday and yesterday, the Fiji Sun saw that the same billboard was vandalised again. Mr Mudunavosa said he would call a meeting with the Suvavou and Waidinu Village headmen in Lami to discuss the issue.
“We will be monitoring these areas now and I will speak to the headmen,” Mr Mudunavosa said. “We need to apprehend these culprits and take them to task.” He added that vandalising of campaigning materials was an unfortunate act and it was not supposed to be happening.
“It is not good,” he said. “Political parties have the right to put up billboards and campaign. If this is happening, then people who are doing this should be questioned and taken to task.”
He said some people did not understand that elections were done for them and when people get to the extent of vandalising properties then it would be something that needs serious attention.
“Billboards are not there for you to vent out your anger and hate on, if you are angry, show it on who you will be voting this election, that’s it.
“But, that attitude is so unfortunate and I highly condemn it, it spoils the image of that billboard. It is very expensive to put up a billboard.
“The Police should investigate and deal with these people.” Mr Mudunavosa added that Suvavovu Village was open to political leaders if they wanted to conduct their awareness drive and campaigns.