VILLAGERS TRAVEL WOES END WITH NEW CROSSING
Villagers of Vatulovona and residents of nearby Macuata settlements will not have to walk far distances or wade through flooded waters to reach their destinations.
This is after their new crossing was officially opened yesterday.
The crossing near Vatulovona Village was first constructed in 2019, but was washed away during Tropical Cyclone Sarai.
Assistant Roko Tui Macuata, Epeli Tabuarua thanked Government through the Fiji Roads Authority for heeding the needs of people in the area.
He said the new crossing would pave the way for improved and efficient transportation.
Mr Tabuarua then challenged women in the area to utilise the crossing to deliver their produce to the markets on Thursday and Friday.
“A word of advice to all those who will be using the crossing. It is in your hands to protect, keep watch of the new infrastructure and enjoy it for a longer period of time,” Mr Tabuarua said.
“People using the crossing must not dump their rubbish in the river.
We have to conserve the environment as wel,” he added.
Kamal Deo, a resident for 55 years, said everyone would benefit from the crossing.
“For many years, our mothers used to wake up early in the morning to cook our food before we walked three to four kilometres to reach school,” Mr Deo said.
“Before there was no bus service or Rural Service Lincensed vehicles, but after the construction of the bridge, transport problems are now worries of the past.
“The struggles we faced will be no more and now our children and the future generation will travel in peace.”
Village head man, Savenaca Raisogo said the success and completion of the bridge with assistance by the government was a cause for celebration.