The Province of Cakaudrove is backing a government initiative aimed at decentralizing road cleaning efforts to be managed at the district and village levels. This decision follows discussions during the recent Cakaudrove Provincial Council meeting, where representatives from the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) sought to initiate consultations to ensure effective implementation of the plan.
Delana Rabalaka, the FRA’s General Manager for the North, explained that this initiative aims to enhance response times during natural disasters and improve routine road maintenance. He emphasized that empowering local communities to take charge of roadside cleanliness will alleviate the burden on central authorities and foster a sense of responsibility among villagers.
Moreover, Rabalaka noted that if executed successfully, this approach could also generate income opportunities for residents, although it requires adherence to proper guidelines. Cakaudrove-i-Vanua Representative, Taia Colatiniyara, supported the initiative, highlighting the critical need for communities to understand their role in maintaining road safety. He pointed out that while current efforts focus on ground clearance, other hazards like overhanging branches still pose risks to motorists.
The proposal is considered a practical solution to cultivate community ownership of road maintenance, particularly benefiting rural and remote areas where dependence on national teams is often high. This strategy aligns with broader efforts to improve infrastructure, as seen in recent initiatives by the government, including transitions in responsibilities for road and drainage maintenance from the FRA to the Public Works Department, which aim to enhance service delivery in Fiji.
In light of improving local infrastructure, this initiative represents optimism for better community cohesion and environmental stewardship. Such a sense of shared responsibility can ultimately lead to cleaner, safer, and more connected communities throughout Cakaudrove and beyond.
Leave a comment