Two students were fortunate to escape unscathed on the island of Rotuma when the truck they were traveling in hit a pothole, causing them to be tossed from the vehicle. This incident has prompted truck drivers on the island to halt their services, leaving as many as 300 students unable to attend school.
Dr. John Fatiaki, an advisor to the Council of Rotuma and a former senator, expressed concern over the situation, noting that the children are suffering due to circumstances beyond their control. He recounted how the responsibility for road maintenance previously held by the Public Works Department (PWD) had transitioned to the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA), which now operates with significantly fewer staff. The PWD once had about 12 staff members who handled regular upkeep and possessed essential machinery like graders and dump trucks. However, Dr. Fatiaki stated that since January of last year, the FRA has only had minimal personnel on the island, essentially leaving the roads unattended.
Dr. Fatiaki highlighted that maintenance was performed effectively until the FRA’s withdrawal, and he lamented the deterioration of roads due to inclement weather, leading to dangerous potholes—the kind that can inflict damage on vehicles and potentially endanger lives. He mentioned that the contractor responsible for road repairs previously managed to restore the roads quickly. However, ongoing maintenance efforts need to be more frequent to avoid further issues.
Currently, drivers have collectively decided to suspend transporting students to school, which is causing disruptions for education on the island. Dr. Fatiaki noted that students requiring transportation to the only secondary school on the island—the majority living a distance away—have been unable to attend classes.
In response to the situation, Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau acknowledged the concerns and indicated that a team was dispatched to address the road conditions and that repair equipment would arrive soon. Education Minister Aseri Radrodro added his voice to the plea for urgent action to ensure that students can return to school.
This incident calls attention to the critical need for consistent maintenance of infrastructure to ensure student safety and access to education. The hope remains that with the government’s involvement and community solidarity, the roads can be restored, enabling students to resume their education without further interruptions.
Leave a comment