Walkway hazard

Satish Nakched, Suva

Nasinu is the most populous municipality in Fiji, having overtaken that of Suva and is one of Fiji's fastest-growing towns.

Its land area is the largest of any municipal area in Fiji, and more than twice that of Suva. It is a major residential hub in Fiji, housing a large majority of the work force in Nasinu itself and in Suva. The Nasinu area, especially around the Valelevu business district has grown enormously and now provides all the amenities such as offices, ATM banks, court house and the other important services.

Being one of the most populous suburbs, people come to the town centre to go about doing their business.

And because of the four large supermarkets within close proximity of each other the area is always busy during the weekends.

The Valelevu area has one of the largest secondary schools and a few primary schools as well.

Based on the population growth it is vital that the infrastructure progresses on par and the improvements are an equal footing that will provide safety and comfort to the residents and rate payers. However, it has been noted for many years that a pedestrian safety hazard has been ignored by the council.

It has caused many falls and trips, especially during the adverse weather conditions. There is also a passage between the Post Office and the Atlas Trading buildings that leads to the market, and the Town Council Office which is full of hazards because of the unsealed undulating surface. The area does not have adequate lighting and can result in people falling. The continuity of this passage from the concrete footpath is just by merely putting together a few planks of timber over a two feet depth drain without any handrails.

The children, senior citizens and people with mobility problems are vulnerable to such risk.

The Nasinu Town Council has an obligation to ensure the township is safe and without risk to the health of any person. It must implement best safety practice in the infrastructure development.

Quite interesting that during the Hibiscus Festival two cement crossing to the carnival grounds were constructed overnight, but this hazardous passage has existed since donkeys' ears.

It is heavily used by the people on foot but has been ignored for so long.

The council needs to move away from the reactive to proactive approach as the risk of injuries is highly likely and the hazards mentioned must be eliminated without delay.

The detriment caused may lead to liability issues.