Business owners in Nadi are becoming increasingly frustrated with street dwellers and beggars who are disrupting their operations. Ashfaaq Khan, managing director of AL-Hamd Smart Living, shared that his staff has had to clean up faeces and urine left outside their shop, a situation that has occurred multiple times. He emphasized the need for a coordinated approach involving the Nadi Town Council (NTC), local police, the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Ministry of Health, and non-governmental organizations to tackle this issue more effectively.
Khan noted that the number of street dwellers is rising, with some individuals displaying mental health challenges, while others have made the choice to live on the streets. This has led to confrontations with store employees and customers when attempts are made to ask them to move. Khan suggested that measures should be developed to trace these individuals’ families and ensure they are involved in providing support.
Marc McElrath, managing director of Vuvale Restaurants, echoed this sentiment, indicating that social welfare services need to be alerted about the conditions that these individuals face and advocating for professional care to be facilitated at facilities like St Giles.
Jerry Gounder, another local businessman, remarked that the council often struggles with similar challenges, highlighting the complexity of the issue which appears to fall under social welfare’s jurisdiction. Meanwhile, NTC special administrator chairperson Salicieli Raiwalui acknowledged the importance of addressing the topic, although communication with the Assistant Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, has not yielded a response.
In light of this challenging situation, it is hopeful that with collaboration among government entities, social services, and local businesses, a comprehensive solution can be developed. By working together, the community can create a safer and more supportive environment for both business operations and the well-being of street dwellers.
Summary: Nadi business owners are urging local authorities to develop a sustainable solution for the increasing number of street dwellers and beggars disrupting their operations. They propose a collaborative meeting involving multiple organizations to address the social issues at hand and provide necessary support to affected individuals.
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