The Nadroga Navosa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NNCCI) has voiced profound concern and frustration following another episode of flash flooding that disrupted Sigatoka Town yesterday afternoon. The heavy rainfall led to significant inundation in key business areas, forcing many shops to close early and halt operations to protect the safety of their staff and customers.
NNCCI President Suresh Naidu highlighted that the frequent flooding points to systemic failures in both infrastructure maintenance and urban planning. “The business community in Sigatoka is tired of bearing the brunt of negligence. This is not an isolated incident; it is a recurring nightmare that threatens the very foundation of our local economy. When our town floods after just a few hours of rain, it signals that the current drainage systems are either blocked, undersized, or entirely neglected,” said Naidu.
In response to the ongoing issues, the Chamber is urging the Ministry of Public Works, the Fiji Roads Authority, and the Sigatoka Town Council to prioritize a comprehensive drainage audit. This audit would aim to identify and clear blockages caused by built-up silt and debris. NNCCI advocates for long-term infrastructure improvements, emphasizing the need for modernizing culverts and waterways that can no longer handle current rainfall patterns rather than relying on temporary fixes.
Additionally, the Chamber has called for a more robust project management approach through a joint task force involving the Fiji Roads Authority and the Town Council. This task force would ensure that maintenance schedules are strictly adhered to, particularly during cyclone and rainy seasons.
The economic implications of these repeated disruptions are significant, as the NNCCI stresses that each hour lost leads to substantial financial losses for both small businesses and larger retailers. This not only affects the local economy but also the livelihoods of hundreds of workers across the Nadroga-Navosa region.
The NNCCI is willing to collaborate with relevant authorities to find sustainable solutions that protect the town, its businesses, and the entire community. Through proactive measures and improved coordination, there’s hope for a brighter future where such natural challenges can be managed more effectively.
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