District advisory councillors in Nausori have been instructed to pinpoint areas prone to drug activity, commonly referred to as “red spots,” and to notify the police about these locations. This directive emerged from a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad and representatives from the Commissioner Central Division, including various line agencies.
Professor Prasad emphasized the importance of regional efforts in tackling the country’s ongoing issues with illicit drugs. He urged collaboration among parents, teachers, community leaders, religious figures, and other stakeholders to confront the drug problem effectively.
In addition to drug-related concerns, the meeting addressed several other pressing matters such as drainage issues, the upkeep of non-FRA roads, irregular water supply, and the rising incidence of drug use. Other discussions revolved around the challenges of school dropouts, violence against women, homelessness, the enforcement of minimum wage laws, management costs for waste disposal, the operations of Nausori Health Center, the fertilizer subsidy, and the Natovi jetty.
Businesses were also reminded to comply with the newly established minimum wage rate of $4.50. Furthermore, Professor Prasad suggested the creation of a regional inter-agency coordination framework to effectively tackle the issues discussed by stakeholders and relevant agencies. He highlighted the necessity of holding regular meetings to ensure that problems are addressed promptly and effectively by the government.