17km walk to main road
WHEN Valovoni villagers in Saqani, Vanua Levu walk the 17km track to the main road in Nasasa (Wainikoro highway), they take hammers, ropes, chainsaw and nails.
Past experiences have taught them that they have to be ready because of the unpredictable condition of bridges along the way. Villager Eparama Tainiciciwalu said the 17km journey usually took them four hours.
“We cross rivers and creeks and walk up and down hills,” he said.
“Sometimes we put our women and children on horseback or we carry the kids.
“Sometimes when we get to a bridge, some wooden planks are missing and we have to find a replacement by cutting a tree down.
“It’s not easy at all. The ropes are used to pull the log up to the main road and after repairing the bridge we continue our journey.”
Mr Tainiciciwalu said the villagers were practically sitting on a “gold mine”.
“This area is rich with resources and grog farmers rake in so much money every month to build better houses for their families.
“When one farmer goes to town to sell his grog, he can earn as much as $10,000 in that single transaction alone, so we are making a lot of money.
“The farmers in this area pay cash when they buy vehicles, they spend as much as $90,000 on one vehicle, so we are well resourced.
“But we need Government to help us with our roads and bridges so we can do more and expand our farming activities.”
Mr Tainiciciwalu said women had started small canteens and despite the hardships, the villagers had established their own school.
“That is testimony of the good income we generate in this interior area and if our roads are improved, we can do much more.”
Commissioner northern Jovesa Vocea said improving roads in the area had been discussed.