Residents of Tunalia in Nadi rolled up their sleeves today to repair a damaged road crossing that they say has posed ongoing hazards for years, underscoring growing frustration over what they describe as a lack of lasting maintenance by authorities. The grassroots effort, led by local resident Mohammed Hanzala, saw neighbours band together to fill potholes and shore up the crossing with temporary fixes to keep traffic moving and reduce immediate safety risks.
Hanzala told reporters the poor state of the road is nothing new. “For a long time, this road has been in very poor condition, and unfortunately, it is not being properly repaired,” he said, describing repeated cycles of deterioration that leave drivers facing potholes, damaged surfaces and unsafe driving conditions each year. He said residents have been forced to perform stop-gap repairs because “there seems to be insufficient action taken” to deliver a permanent solution.
The degradation of the crossing has affected daily mobility in Tunalia, with residents reporting vehicle damage and increased danger for motorists and pedestrians. The community initiative was intended to address the most pressing safety concerns immediately, but those involved were clear the work is only temporary and not a substitute for professional reconstruction or maintenance.
While acknowledging that government budgets and competing priorities can constrain works, Hanzala stressed the urgency of proper upkeep. “Road maintenance remains critical for the safety and well-being of the community,” he said, and appealed directly to the Fiji Roads Authority to prioritise permanent repairs at the Tunalia crossing. Residents said they will continue to press authorities until a durable solution is scheduled and carried out.
The action in Tunalia comes amid ongoing public discussions about infrastructure delivery elsewhere in Fiji. In recent months government agencies have moved forward on projects such as the Saliadrau bridge tender and temporary bypass works on other highways, prompting some communities to ask why smaller but hazardous local crossings are not receiving timely attention. Tunalia residents say their situation illustrates the human cost when routine maintenance is deferred.
For now the community’s work provides a temporary reprieve from the worst hazards, but residents and their spokespersons insist lasting repairs by qualified contractors are needed to prevent further vehicle damage and reduce the risk of accidents. They said they will continue to document the damage and push the Fiji Roads Authority for urgent remedial action.
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