VILLAGERS of Naibaleyaganiga have welcomed the prompt action of the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) and the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) regarding their partly washed-away bridge and water system.
Village headman Jekope Matanamatua said official visits from the organisations were a sign that help is on its way. "We have faced this problem since the 2000 and it is a pleasure to note that government departments are responding effectively to our pleas," he said.
WAF spokeswoman Kelera Serelini said a team completed a survey and a plan was in place to suspend the water pipe from one bank of of the waterway to the other.
"This will ensure the pipes withstand future disasters like flooding. A suspended pipe crossing is the best alternative and our team is working with the village to ensure the project is on track," said Ms Serelini.
FRA spokesman Mike Rudge said they were aware of the problem in the village and that a key driver for change was to create a single organisation accountable for all roads in Fiji.
"We are transitioning to that this year as we are gathering information on what all the roads in Fiji are by gathering inventory information from all authorities — municipal, provincial and cane on all roads in Fiji," said Mr Rudge.
"We are developing detailed information on issues like bridges, Irish crossings, condition of all roads and inspection programs so that we can ensure all issues are raised and dealt with in a timely manner," he said.
"Since there was a highlight in this newspaper, we have arranged an inspection and now we are considering our options for the state of the road."