A businessman and minibus owner in Ba, Dinesh Prakash Chand, has urged local authorities to construct public convenience facilities at the township’s minibus stand to support daily commuters. Speaking at a Town Hall Forum organized by the Fijian Media Association, Chand highlighted the significant volume of traffic that passes through Ba, mentioning that about 50 minibuses operate daily, serving approximately 3,500 commuters who travel in and out of the town for work, primarily to Lautoka.
Chand emphasized the lack of basic amenities at the minibus stand, stating, “In simple terms, we do not have any toilets and no proper water taps.” This issue is not new; he has brought it up at multiple meetings with the Ba Town Council but reported that his concerns have not led to any action.
Moshim Khan, the special administrator of the town council, confirmed that the council had proposed a new site for the minibus stand but was met with objections from the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA), which has stated that public convenience facilities cannot be situated on road reserves. Khan elaborated that the council is collaborating with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to find an alternative location that can accommodate the necessary facilities.
Peni Tuinona, the acting general manager of the FRA for the Lautoka to Rakiraki area, reinforced that the placement of public conveniences must adhere to regulations, emphasizing the ongoing discussions to address this pressing need. The situation sheds light on broader infrastructural challenges faced by the community in Ba, where even basic services like health and transport are under strain, as highlighted in previous discussions regarding road conditions and public amenities.
The call for improved public conveniences represents not only a plea for better facilities but also reflects the community’s ongoing struggle for adequate infrastructure. As discussions progress between local authorities and the FRA, there is hope that a viable solution will be found to improve conditions at the minibus stand, enhancing the daily experience for countless commuters in Ba.
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