A DEATH TRAP?

A bridge that connects Tavuya and Vunuku villages in Rewa needs urgent repair to make it safe.

At the moment it is a death trap. The worrying thing is that it is used daily during the school week by children to attend classes at Vutia District School.

It is also used to take the sick to the Naililili Health Centre.

The river that runs underneath is a treacherous one because it is deep and the currents are powerful. It flows into the open sea. Any student falling over in an accident stands little chance of surviving the harsh river conditions.

The bridge was originally built with the help of engineers under the Commissioner Central’s office in Nausori and the assistance of the villagers. It has suffered from wear and tear over the years. Villagers, who live on subsistence farming and fishing, have been trying to repair the flooring but they have run short of funds.

There are no protective railings and you can just keel over into the river if you lose your balance. Villagers claim they have been waiting for more than a year for engineers to go there.

Can the Commissioner Central officials revisit the site and carry out the necessary survey to repair the bridge before tragedy strikes?

The clock is ticking and you cannot say you were not warned.

WORKERS THREATENED?

A senior company official allegedly stormed into a business outlet yesterday and threatened workers over a BTL item yesterday.

He said those responsible for leaking the information to BTL and lodging a report with the Ministry of Employment would be taken to task. He added they would hire the best lawyer to sue the newspaper. BTL yesterday reported that the company, which operates several outlets in the country, closed one outlet in a small town without any notice. Four workers were told on the spot to go home.

It has also come to light that a worker who had filed a complaint with the Ministry of Employment on a number of issues was allegedly fired about a year ago.

The ministry must investigate this case. There are people ready to talk if they are given the opportunity. One company official allegedly said they were not afraid of the Government because of their connection. If the ministry has a report that is 12 months old, what has it done about it?

And what was the outcome? This is a serious matter. If it continues unresolved it would undermine the ministry’s integrity.