Contracts reopen in hopes for better roads
SAQANI villagers are reopening logging contracts in a bid to address transportation issues facing three villages.
People living in Nadogo, Bolawaqa and Namedivo villages have to cross six rivers by using fallen logs as temporary bridges.
Village elder Josua Vosawale said the practice of felling was stopped when Government asked the villagers to cease logging because of environmental concerns.
“So we respected their decision and stopped all logging contracts with private companies,” he said.
“We also stopped the logging contracts because we were told that the officials would attend to our roads and bridges.”
Mr Vosawale said it was unfortunate that after agreeing to Government’s request, the villagers had not seen any upgrades to their roads or bridges.
He said the villagers were tired of waiting because requests had been made since the 1980s.
“Every year we fix the bridges, our youths cut down the logs from the forest, pull it to the main road using thick ropes and lay it across the creeks or rivers.
“It’s not an easy job, our grandfathers have done it and now our children and their children are doing the same job.
“Sometimes we use horses to drag the logs to the main road but most times our villagers do the job themselves.” Mr Vosawale said they had grown tired of asking for assistance.
“That is why we will go back to logging and we will approach the sawmillers in Labasa because their logging licence is still valid for this area.”
Commissioner northern Jovesa Vocea yesterday assured the villagers that they had discussed the issue with the Fiji Roads Authority. “We started discussions last week on when to start work in the area,” he said.
Mr Vocea said details were yet to be finalised.