High transport costs are a big hindrance for Naitasiri farmers trying to get their crops to the Sawani containment border.
Temo Qalobula of Nasau, Moce, Lau, who farms in Naitasiri, has called on authorities to look into the use of buses to transport their goods at a reasonable cost.
“Hiring cars or carriers to the Sawani border is costly,” the 71-year-old said.
“At times, we use wheelbarrows to carry our farm produce to the main road and try to get transport there.
“We rely on selling our produce to support us but the transport costs are too high and it’s not worth it.” Mr Qalobula said the Tacirua Transport buses often parked for long hours at the Sawani border and could be used for this purpose.
“We are in the lockdown zone and the buses should be given the opportunity to provide services in the Naitasiri area.
“With the public transport in place, we only pay $1.91 to reach the market.
“With private vehicles, we are forced to fork out $10 one-way to reach Sawani.
“Some of us receive money from relatives to buy food from shops but when we factor in the $20 transport cost, it takes a big chunk out of that money.
“People outside the border don’t realise how hard it is to live in a remote place like Naitasiri where development is not up to par.”
