District advisory councillors in Nausori have been instructed to pinpoint “red spots” for drug activity in their neighborhoods and alert local police. This directive emerged from a meeting involving Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad, along with a team from the Commissioner Central Division and various line agencies.
Professor Prasad emphasized the importance of regional intervention in addressing the country’s drug-related challenges. He called for collaborative efforts among parents, teachers, community leaders, religious figures, and other stakeholders to effectively tackle drug issues.
In addition to drug concerns, discussions at the Commissioner Central’s Office covered various community topics including drainage issues, the upkeep of non-FRA roads, sporadic water supply problems, and the rising prevalence of illicit drugs.
Professor Prasad also addressed critical matters such as school dropouts, violence against women, homelessness, the enforcement of a minimum wage of $4.50, garbage management expenses, operations at Nausori Health Center, fertilizer subsidies, and the Natovi jetty.
Businesses were reminded of the necessity to implement the new minimum wage. Moreover, Professor Prasad proposed the establishment of a regional inter-agency coordination group to tackle the concerns raised during the forum. He advocated for regular meetings to ensure timely coordination and resolution of these issues by the Government.