There is a pressing need for the maintenance of all access roads on Koro Island, according to Cawa district representative Sekaia Bolabola. He highlighted that the deteriorating road conditions are causing significant challenges for businesses that rely on vehicles transporting goods from the mainland.
Bolabola expressed gratitude for previous road maintenance efforts but emphasized the importance of properly repairing the roads to accommodate larger vehicles. “There have been numerous complaints regarding access roads,” he stated, noting that business operators have reached out to him with their concerns.
The representative pointed out that four-wheel drives, carriers, and trucks play a crucial role in delivering goods to the islanders, as well as transporting cargo back to Suva. He remarked on the increasing business activities on Koro, particularly in the yaqona and crop sectors, which require efficient transport to the jetty for export. Additionally, vehicles are essential for bringing goods to various villages, especially for those involved in cooperatives.
Bolabola raised concerns about the impact of the road conditions on local businesses, stating that many owners have reported damages to their products during transport. “It pains me to see that this affects business owners, causing damage to a lot of their products along the way,” he lamented.
He also acknowledged the support of Ben Naidu, who plays a significant role in delivering goods to each village and purchasing crops from local farmers.