Vandalism of Jetties a Major Concern
Immediately after the Vunisea Two Jetty was fixed last year, one of the plumbing works got ripped out and the lights disappeared: Minister Usamate.
The problem of vandalism and theft has been noted in jetties around Fiji especially in Vunisea, Kadavu.
Updating Parliament on Wednesday, Minister for Infrastructure Jone Usamate said immediately after the Vunisea Two Jetty was fixed last year, one of the plumbing works got ripped out and the lights disappeared.
“You know the Vunisea Jetty is away from the main area so that is an issue that we have,” Mr Usamate said.
“We had some discussions with the people in Namalata or Namuana – some of the people there sell food in that area so we want to have an arrangement where they also look after that facility.”
He said Fiji Roads Authority manages all the jetties around Fiji and there were 10 jetties in the Eastern Division, three in the Northern Division and one in the Central Division.
Natovi and Nabouwalu jetties accommodate roll-on and roll-off vessels on a daily basis whilst six jetties in Savusavu, Taveuni, Vunisea, Kavala, Qarani and Koro accommodate vessels once or twice a week.
Nine jetties, he said had public conveniences and waiting facilities while the remaining five jetties were programmed under the FRA Forward Works Programme.
“In some of the jetties, for instance in Nabouwalu, we have been working together with the Savusavu Local Town Council that looks after Nabouwalu to help keep it clean,” he said.
“In other places where we do not have local councils, it is kept clean by the tenants or by those that sell food in that area.
“I think the kind of discussions we had with places like Nabouwalu to work together with Savusavu Town Council is a model that we hope to replicate.
“Nabouwalu is also a growing area, so we are also working with the director of Town and Country Planning because Nabouwalu is one of the three jetties that we are targeting to replace - Nabouwalu, Natovi and Savusavu. And as part of that, to develop that whole facility to improve the conveniences that we have for people that use them. That is the focus and it is going to take some time.”
Upgrade works are planned for the Nabouwalu, Savusavu, Natovi, Moala, Lomaloma, Koro, Vunisea Two, Makogai and Nabukeru jetties which will include parking, waiting shelters with rest rooms and stakeholder offices.
He added that the Vunisea and Naleca jetties in Kadavu would be upgraded in the 2023/2024 financial year.